HPU's title defense won't be routine

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The chances of Hawai'i Pacific winning its second consecutive national cheerleading title this month hinges on a difficult routine that is considered tougher than last year's championship performance, according to its coach.

"We're really trying to blow people's tops this year at nationals," said HPU coach Ashley Edwards of the Chick-fil-A Cheer and Dance Collegiate Championship, March 31-April 4, at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Last year, HPU won its first Division II national championship under the 28-year-old Edwards. Since his arrival in 2001, the former North Carolina State head coach has led the Sea Warriors to a runner-up finish in 2002 and the national title last season.

"I think our chances are really good this year," said Edwards, who has 25 members on his coed squad and 23 on his all-girls team. "I think our toughest competition is going to be ourselves rather than some other team. We have a lot more difficulty in our routine this year. Just getting mentally prepared is the big thing right now."

For the first time, the Sea Warriors brought in choreographers to assist in their routine that includes a difficult opening sequence with cheerleader tosses, balancing acts, backflips, tumbling and pinpoint landings after aerial twists, Edwards said.

"The routine that we have is excellent," said senior team captain J.R. Locklayer. "I think this year (if we win), it would really make that special. Overall as a team, I definitely think we are hungry for it. I definitely feel that we do want it."

Edwards said the judges award higher scores for difficult routines, precision, togetherness and timing.

"They also look for an outstanding performance, something that gets the crowd up out of their seats and has a lot of energy," Edwards said. "We're fortunate to have great performers on this team."

Last year, the Sea Warriors won the Division II category of the cheer competition. This season, HPU plans to compete in the Division II cheer and dance categories.

HPU qualified for the nationals by submitting a winning videotape of the team's routine, Edwards said. In the videotape entry, the Sea Warriors placed first in the Division II cheer and all-girls competitions. HPU also placed second in the Division II dance competition, and fifth and seventh in the group stunt competition.

The videotaped routine serves as a "psychological advantage" if schools score high, as HPU did, and also reveals the favored schools in the competition, Edwards said.

Edwards said the HPU cheerleading team practices year-round, and normally works out twice a week during the school year, and three to six times a week during the competition season. The team practices at the Central YMCA and Kapi'olani Park.

Edwards said he recruits internationally and locally for HPU, a school that offers full and partial tuition scholarships for cheerleaders.

The HPU cheerleading squad is one of four collegiate teams in the state, along with University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Brigham Young-Hawai'i and UH-Hilo.

BASKETBALL

Chrisman earns honor: Brigham Young-Hawai'i junior forward Jake Chrisman was named to the NCAA II West Regional All-Tournament team for his performance in two postseason games last week.

Chrisman scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Seasiders' 67-61 quarterfinal win Friday over Alaska-Anchorage and then had 34 points with seven rebounds in Saturday's 71-61 loss to Humboldt State (Calif.) in the semifinals.

Humboldt State won the tournament, defeating Alaska-Fairbanks, 64-60, on Monday. Led by Chrisman, BYUH won its first NCAA Tournament game since attaining Division II status in 1998-99.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.