The Ferris State STUNT team has had a hot start to their inaugural season, as in their first-ever match, they took down the University of Michigan in a 22-0 victory, then took down Northern Kentucky 31-13 that same day.
STUNT is a competitive, female head-to-head sport that is derived from cheerleading but it removes the crowd-leading to focus on the technical, athletic skills. The teams perform identical, choreographed 30-second routines in four quarters, including partner stunts, pyramids/tosses, jumps/tumblings and team performance. Then, officials score based on the execution, synchronization and technique.
After the first day for the Bulldogs, they came back the following Saturday and took down the Lewis Flyers 21-17, then the team took their first loss against Trevecca Nazarene 26-15.
Freshman backspot Amethyst Hofstra spoke about the start to the first season of STUNT at Ferris.
“Words can’t explain how it feels starting off ranked 15th in the nation as a first-time program,” Hofstra said. “From day one, this journey has been about family, dedication, and hard work, all while proving ourselves. So to see our name ranked on a national level means so much more than a ranking, it’s a tribute to our early mornings, every workout, and every long practice and sacrifice paying off.”
The STUNT team is led by head coach Perrmela Harris and the program was launched as the university’s newest varsity sport. It has also become the newest athletic program by Ferris State in 25 years, with the last being women’s soccer which was established in 1999.
With big wins under their belt already, freshman backspot Haniyah Cannon only sees the team improving from here on out.
“As the season goes on, I can only see us getting better,” Cannon said. “In our first game, we beat Michigan, then we beat Northern Kentucky, who are both Division 1 teams. Starting the season off with two big wins showed me the kind of season we are going to have.”
With the team being 4-2 on the season, the Ferris State STUNT team has three upcoming matches, with two scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, against Southwestern Baptist and Drury. Then, taking on Maryville on Sunday, March 1.