Wayland Baptist’s cheer team received third place while the dance team took fifth at their respective national competitions. The Pioneers’ nine-member cheer team competed in the small co-ed division at the Christian Cheerleaders of America (CCA) Cheer Nationals in Winston-Salem, N.C., where Pioneer Pete (freshman Michael Bishop) received first place in the mascot challenge. Meanwhile, at the American Dance/Drill Team Nationals at the University of North Texas in Denton, Wayland’s three-member, all-freshman team placed fifth in Division III. Cheer & Dance is under the direction of first-year coach Samantha Templar.