FULTON, Mo.- After a third-place finish in the AMC/SAC in 2024, the William Woods Cheer team looks to improve on their inaugural campaign as the Owls Dance team looks to make a deep impact in their inaugural season.  

"It starts with execution, last year we lost 10 points on execution, and it cost us a chance at nationals, 4 points away from winning the conference. This year we went out and got numbers. Our current roster sits around 50." said head coach Toni Snyder. "Our biggest advantage this year is having someone to step up when we have an injury or illness that prevents one of us from competing." 

Toni, the Director of Owl Spirit, was named the inaugural competitive cheer and dance coach in the spring semester of 2023. Both of these had been club sports at The Woods for some time but officially made the jump to NAIA competitive status in 2024 and 2025 respectively.  

"I feel like it is really good for the rookies to have those upperclassmen who have been around the school and understand how William Woods works. The benefit of having those that transitioned with us from club to sport adds a unique perspective. The program hasn't always had the resources and respect that it does now. The athletes that made the transition provide the prospective on bad days that it could always be worse. Seeing where we have been and where we are today is a huge morale boost for the team.  

Although the Owls have veteran leadership in the clubhouse, the new faces on the sideline could have the biggest impact.  

"We had an amazing recruiting class so it would be impossible to name them all, but just to name a few; we have Maddy Brahler who transferred as a grad student from the University of Missouri, who was with the Tigers in their National Championships during her freshman year. Her stunting and leadership have been huge additions to the program. Another standout that we have is Dawson Evert, a transfer from Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas, who is a really good leader on the team and is an amazing teacher. He is able to teach certain skills and help others out if the coaches aren't around. Another big addition was Raniya Hurtault, who competes on both our Cheer and Dance Teams. She comes from a gymnastics background so has tumbling skills for cheer and has extensive experience in dance as well.  She will be another huge factor on both sides. All three should be All-Americans." 

Although the size of the cheer and dance roster has tripled since Coach Toni took the helm, his end goals are not yet met. The experienced coach wants to achieve a roster size of 150 student-athletes between the two sports.  

"Having the expanded rosters allows us to have fully established gameday and competitive teams, allowing breaks for athletes that need the rest. Our current system with cheer and dance is split into three sections that compete in advanced, intermediate, and traditional teams that will compete in those specific categories in the NCA Nationals in the Spring. While dance will compete in the NDA National Championship Circuit. As far as recruiting is concerned, we really do not have an issue. Our scholarship system here at The Woods is amazing and allows us to go out and get those top-end athletes. We also have an amazing support system from administration and the sports information staff, they do an amazing job. It also helps recruiting with the addition of football and having a nationally ranked basketball program. When student-athletes first arive on campus, they fall in love with the beauty of it. Having those top end sports teams is also a big draw for cheer and dance recruits." 

Although Coach Snyder and the staff have lofty goals for the future of Owls cheer and dance, this year remains most important as The Woods looks to establish themselves as contenders and make a push for a conference championship and trip to nationals. Coach Toni's motto of "Do it for the person next to you" creates a strong team bond that will hopefully carry Woods to the top of the podium at the end of the season.  

Both Competitive Cheer and Dance teams open their season on Sunday, January 26, at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.  

To follow along with the Owls' season stay tuned to wwuowls.com.