ALMA COLLEGE: Six STUNT Athletes Named All-Americans

Source: Alma College

Alma College issued the following announcement on July 22.

Six student-athletes from the Alma College STUNT team have been named All-Americans, as announced by USA Cheer, the National governing body for cheer. Jillian Jegla (Westphalia, Mich. / Pewamo-Westphalia), Jessica Hatcher (Richmond, Mich. / Richmond), Gabby Saum (Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood), Brianne Elliott (Walker, Mich. / Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills) and Taryn Winfrey (Redford, Mich. / Bradford Academy) all earned First-Team honors, while Grace Kueber (Northville, Mich. / St. Catherine of Siena Academy) landed on the Second-Team.

Jegla has been named an All-American in each year of her career, twice on the first team and twice on the second team. Hatcher is a three-time honoree and makes the first team for the second consecutive year, along with Saum.

According to USA Cheer's website, "The STUNT All Americans were selected by the STUNT coaches. Nominees for All American are athletes who exhibited superior skills and techniques, good game sense and knowledge of STUNT. They also needed to have participated in all four quarters of play, showing their versatility in partner stunts, jumps and tumbling, pyramids and tosses, and team routine."

Jegla led the team with the highest power ranking all season. She participated in 17 routines and was powerful in all quarters as a flyer, elite tumbler, and a multi-ability pyramid and basket flyer. "Jill has always been an athlete who steps up for her team," said Head Coach Michelle Sabourin, "and this year she really shined!"

Hatcher participated in 13 routines as a flyer. She was a strong jump and tumble athlete, and multi-talented pyramid top and mid. "Jessica is a dynamic performer," said Sabourin. "She is known for her unbeatable toe-touch basket and her energy on the mat."

Saum participated in 12 routines, including all seven jump and tumble routines. "Gabby became our go-to jump and tumble athlete this year," said Sabourin. "She's a strong base, amazing tumbler, and a multi-talent mid-layer and pyramid thrower."

Elliott participated in 10 routines in her freshman year and became the program's first athlete to throw a two-to-full in a game. "Bri is a powerful base, an exceptional tumbler, and multi-talented pyramid athlete," said Sabourin. " She has a tenacious work ethic and allowed us to find success in the upper-levels this season."

Winfrey participated in 10 routines and was the base of Alma's level 7 stunt – the most difficult partner stunt routine. She was also a key thrower in many pyramid routines. "Taryn is a natural leader and has a strong presence on the mat," says Sabourin. "She brought a ton of energy to every game!"

Kueber participated in 12 routines as a flyer, elite tumbler, and pyramid top. "Grace had a huge impact on the team this season with her elite tumbling and powerful baskets," said Sabourin. "She is fearless in the air and was able to make many of our upper-level routine elite elements look effortless!"

Original source: http://almascots.com/sports/stunt/2019-20/releases/20190722phpsfi