Category: TVCC

By Jennifer Hannigan/TVCC Public Information

The Trinity Valley Community College Cheerleaders are hoping to repeat history starting April 11 as they participate in national competition in Florida.

And to help them in that task, they’ve combined the past with the present.

The team will be looking to earn the college’s tenth national title as the National Cheerleaders Association National Finals Competition begins Thursday in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Cardinal Cheerleaders will present the 2013 nationals routine free to the public in a community performance at 7 p.m. Monday in Cardinal Gym. The team traditionally performs its routine for the public just before leaving for the competition.

The TVCC group has been named the best junior college cheer team in the nation by the National Cheerleaders Association nine times, in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2008.

Cardinal Cheerleading Coach Khris Franklin said the team looked to the best moves of past winning routines as inspiration to build this year’s competition strategy.

“We looked at all the highest scoring sections from last year’s winning routines,” said Franklin. “We looked at all sizes of teams in all different divisions.”

Then, he said, the team’s choreographers used those moves as a foundation.

“We took those skill sets and added some of the TVCC flare,” said Franklin. “We brought in a little bit of old and new in the choreography realm by bringing in a very creative choreographer to work hand in hand with a pair of alumni that are now husband and wife from the 2001 and 2002 national championship teams.”

The group will compete in the first round on Thursday. The top teams will advance to Friday’s final round of competition.

Franklin said the outpouring of support from the community has been key in this year’s competition. Through the sales of the team’s T-shirts and 2013 calendars, the team is competing in new uniforms. Those sales also have allowed Franklin to fund book scholarships for the students.

“We want to thank the community for its outstanding support of the team,” said Franklin.

The first NCA College National Championship was held in Dallas in 1981. The event was moved to the sunny shores of Daytona Beach in 1996.

This year, more than 6,000 student athletes and coaches from 40 states, Canada, and Costa Rica will compete in the event, which includes both cheer team and dance team divisions.

Results will be posted as they are released on the TVCC Facebook page and at www.nca.varsity.com.

By mvhannigan

TVCC Lady Cardinal Head Coach Elena Lovato thanked everyone last night at the #CELEBRATING7 community party for the 2013 national champions.

When I say everyone, I mean everyone from the college president to the bus driver (her good luck charm!). She particularly thanked the community and the fans, which is something she’s been doing pretty much since the season began. And she thanked God for the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.

I can’t list everyone she thanked because …. well, she thanked A LOT of people.

Her players did the same thing … thanked everyone. They talked about how important everyone else was in their title run.

There they were … the undisputed national champions, undefeated on the court … and all they could do was talk about how great everyone else was.

It is why we love the 2013 Lady Cardinals … it is why all those folks probably would have shown up for the party even if the girls hadn’t won that final game.

Because when you see someone going about business the right way, it is inspiring.

And it is the biggest reason everyone else in the nation better be worried in 2014. … #3PEAT

By Michael V. Hannigan

The official college/community celebration of the Lady Cardinals’ seventh NJCAA championship is scheduled tonight. #CELEBRATING7 is set to begin at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Gym.

Scheduled speakers are Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders, TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey, TVCC Athletic Director Brad Smiley, Coach Elena Lovato and Lady Cardinal sophomores Victoria Wells, Savannah Carter, Shannon Smith and Krystle Henderson.

There will also be performances by Cardinal Cheerleaders, Cardette Showgirls and the Cardinal Regiment Pep Band.

After the ceremony, the Lady Cardinals will sign posters for fans and be available for photos.

The public is invited to attend.

The event will also be webcast by the Cardinal Sports Network at www.tvcc.edu

SOFTBALL

The Lady Cardinals will join the fight against cancer Saturday with the annual Strikeout Cancer doubleheader at Cain Park. They face Kilgore at 1 and 3 p.m.

Concessions will be available. There will also be a raffle for softball items and a pink acknowledgement banner for fans to sign after making a donation.

Pink Strikeout Cancer T-shirts will also be available for $10.

The Lady Cardinals would like to recognize cancer survivors at the game. Cancer survivors planning to attend the game should contact Lucy Strom at 903-675-6359.

The Lady Cardinals are 23-16 on the year and 3-3 in conference play.

By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information

The Lady Cardinals returned from a non-conference South Texas road trip with a 2-2 record, sending their season record to a 23-16 reading.

Thursday, Coach Ashley Johnston’s squad split a doubleheader with San Jacinto. The Lady Cardinals dropped an 8-3 decision in Game 1 and bounced back to take a 5-2 win in Game 2.

In action Friday against Lamar State-PA, the Lady Cardinals recorded a 7-6 win in Game 1 and suffered a 5-4 loss in Game 2.

The Lady Cardinals’ next outing is scheduled Saturday at home against Kilgore at 1 and 3 p.m.

#CELEBRATING7

The college/community celebration of the Lady Cardinals’ seventh NJCAA championship is scheduled Wednesday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Gym.

The public is invited to attend.

The event will also be webcast by the Cardinal Sports Network at www.tvcc.edu

CARDINAL PRIDE LUNCHEON

The Cardinal Pride Luncheon is scheduled today at noon at Papa Tilo’s, located at 607 East Tyler St.

The cost of the meal is $9.