Six return with awards from the Tournament of Champions

The Tournament of Champions (TOC) is a large tournament that not only includes basketball games and cheer shows, but also community service activities, a dance on one of the nights and a breakfast with the speaker from TOC.

TOC was held on Jan. 21 through 23 in Dodge City.

Senior Alassa Barber participated in the Tournament of Champions along with 15 other members of the squad.

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“I loved being involved with TOC,” Barber said. “Certain events tend to bring the whole squad closer and make us feel more like a family.”

Senior Courtney Ellis is another one of the cheerleaders that participated in TOC over the weekend.

Seniors Alassa Barber, Bethany Kuhn, and Madelyn Norris in their cheer uniforms for TOC.
Seniors Alassa Barber, Bethany Kuhn, Madelyn Norris, Courtney Ellis, and sophomore Alliana Drees in their cheer uniforms for TOC.

“The Dodge City cheerleaders sent us videos of dances we had to learn and prepare for,” Ellis said. “We had to perform the routine with 6 other squads that Friday night.”

Ellis said she enjoyed being part of the huge performance.

“It was a great last performance to end my high school cheerleading career with,” Ellis said.

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Barber said she also enjoyed participating in TOC, and preparing for it was a lot of work.

“There were lots of crammed practices,” Barber said. “We had to learn 3 routines right before we performed them.”

Ellis was one of the cheerleaders who made the All-Tournament team for TOC.

The All-Tournament team is a select group of individuals that are chosen as “the best” from multiple teams or squads. For the cheer All-Tournament team, usually one individual from each squad is chosen. However, three were picked from Hays.

These individuals include seniors Courtney Ellis and Bethany Kuhn and junior MKilar Otte.

Seniors Isaiah Nunnery, Courtney Ellis, Bethany Kuhn, and juniors Mkilar Otte and Shane Berens were chosen to be on the All-Tournament team,
Seniors Isaiah Nunnery, Courtney Ellis, Bethany Kuhn, and juniors Mkilar Otte and Shane Berens were chosen to be on the All-Tournament team.

Kuhn said she thought the all-team cheerleading routine was very special.

“It got to show off every squad in their own ways,” Kuhn said. “It also showed how sharp and together so many people could be at one time.”

Kuhn said the squad had their own song that they choreographed and planned.

“We are a talented and diverse group,” Kuhn said. “We all have certain things we bring to the squad. Each and every one of my teammates has taught me something and I am glad I have had the experience to be on the squad with them.”

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Junior Shane Berens is on the men’s basketball team that went to TOC.

“We always work hard in practice and prepare for every game like it is the most important game of the year,” Berens said. “Our men’s basketball team placed 5th.”

Berens was one of the individuals who made the All-Tournament team for men’s basketball from Hays.

“There were a few other guys on our team that could have made it too,” Berens said. “My teammates are all very talented and they work hard.”

Senior Isaiah Nunnery also made it onto the All-Tournament team.

“We prepared by working hard and listening to our coaches,” Nunnery said. “I won two awards. The All Academic team and the All-Tournament team.”

Senior Isaiah Nunnery reads to children as part of the TOC experience.
Senior Isaiah Nunnery reads to children as part of the TOC experience.

Senior Madelyn Norris also made the All Academic team.

Seniors Isaiah Nunnery and Madelyn Norris receive the All Academic team award.
Seniors Isaiah Nunnery and Madelyn Norris receive the All Academic team award.

Junior Kaely McKinney and freshman Pflaum said participating in TOC was a great bonding experience.

“We are all like sisters in a way,” McKinney said. “We all got ready as a squad in the mornings and helped each other.”

Pflaum said the cheerleaders were like her second family.

“This opportunity was great for us,” Pflaum said. “I love spending time with my team, we all have such a great time.”

To view a full list of awards from TOC, click here.