Edmond, Oklahoma. The Hope International STUNT team wrapped up play with a third place finish at the 2023 NAIA STUNT Nationals which took place on April 22 and 23
rd in Oklahoma. The Royals were seeded third going into the tournament.
The first match up was against local rivals Vanguard University, the 2
nd seeded team. The Royals kept the lead through 1
st and 2
nd quarters but couldn't match the tumbling skills of the Lions. In the closest game against Vanguard ever played the Royals fell 12-17 to advance the Lions to play Jessup University and the Royals to play Missouri Baptist. University. Power Players for game 1 were
Kamea Binnquist,
Jamie Goldman,
Mackenzie Flowers,
Jasmine Rincon and
Mackenzie Ellison.
To finish play on Saturday the Royals faced the Stars of OCU in game 3. The Royals maintained the lead the entire game and knocked OCU out of the tournament with a score of 16-10 placing the Royals in the semi final match against the Lions of Vanguard after their loss to Jessup.
Kamea Binnquist,
Jamie Goldman,
Mackenzie Flowers,
Jasmine Rincon and
Mackenzie Ellison were once again power players.
The Semi final match brought HOPE and Vanguard together in a rematch. The Royals once again held the lead throughout quarters 1 and 2 and dominated with their stunting and pyramids. The Lions took the lead after quarter 3 but the Royals kept the game close, finally succumbing to the Lions with a score of 10-16, advancing the Lions to the final game against Jessup and placing the Royals in 3rd. Once again,
Kamea Binnquist,
Jamie Goldman,
Mackenzie Flowers,
Jasmine Rincon and
Mackenzie Ellison held the top 5 power player spots. Jessup University ended up winning the National Championships and Vanguard took 2
nd place. The Royals exceeded their season's goals and are hungry for next year and a chance to claim the title.
