ALMA, Mich. - April 29, 2021 – For the first time in program history, Hiram College STUNT is headed to the D3 STUNT National Championships, where they'll face the Alma College Scots and Olivet College Comets at Art Smith Arena in Alma, Mich. on Sunday, May 2.
 
The D3 STUNT National Championships, hosted by Alma, will feature the No. 1-seeded Scots, the No. 2-seeded Terriers and the No. 3-seeded Comets in a double-elimination championship on Sunday, May 2, with games beginning at 2:00 p.m.
 
The championships will kick off on Sunday with a matchup between Hiram and Olivet at 2:00 p.m., followed by the Terriers taking on the No. 1-seeded Scots at 3:30 p.m.
 
After a matchup between the Scots and Comets at 5:00 p.m., the two remaining one or zero-loss teams will advance to the championship game at 7:00 p.m. All games will be live-streamed and available on the Alma College Athletics YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5RwogYVV-4aOsCBXQT_How
 
The Terriers in their third season under Head Coach Sammy Campbell, enter the D3 STUNT National Championships for the first time in program history with an undefeated, 4-0 record, coming off home wins over Concordia (Mich.) and Olivet. Hiram opened the season on March 21 with a pair of wins over Tiffin, before topping the Cardinals, 20-4, and the Comets, 13-6, in Price Gymnasium on April 18.
 
"Team 3 has grown in so many ways during this challenging year—primarily our resiliency when faced with adversity," Campbell said. "We have practiced less than any other year due to non-contact practices and a COVID-19 team shutdown, and yet we are ready to compete more routines than ever in program history. We are eager to showcase our work to un-modify partner stunts, giving us the best chance to earn points and keep possession."
 
Freshman base Nina Casalandra has led the way for the Terriers in all four of their matches this year, and is Hiram's highest-ranked player heading into the D3 STUNT National Championships. The Terriers are also led by their three 2020-21 captains: junior flyer Danyell Wilson, senior back spot Jaya Martin and junior back spot Brianna Burns.
 
Martin is one of three seniors on the Terriers roster, joining base Miranda Mordue and base Paris Carter.
 
The Terriers' 14-member freshman class has also been a big reason for Hiram's success, with a number of key contributors ranking highly. Freshman base Maddie Buckles and Grace Domabyl both rank among the top Terriers and have seen action in a number of routines, while base Abigail Ries put together her best performances of the season so far against Concordia (Mich.) and Olivet on April 18.

"I talk frequently about the freshmen we have on this team because they've continuously exceeded my expectations this season, both in their dedication and skill level," Campbell said. "And I can't forget to mention the seniors who have helped build this program. Miranda is a silent threat. She will do whatever is asked of her and never complains. Paris is incredibly strong and is always looking at film to find a way to make the stunt work. Jaya is a natural athlete and leader. This spring she had STUNT and volleyball back-to-back with no evidence of exhaustion or lack of effort. The seniors will be missed greatly, and we are so proud of them!"
 
The No. 1-seeded Scots head into the National Championships at 2-2 on the year, with shutout victories over Olivet and Tiffin University, and a pair of losses to Davenport University. On the other side, the No. 3-seeded Comets sit at 1-3 heading into the National Championships, with their lone win coming against the Concordia (Mich.) University Cardinals.
 
Hiram has yet to face Alma this year, but defeated the Comets, 13-6, on Sunday, April 18 at Price Gymnasium.
 
"We are already making school history by earning a spot at the National Championship," Campbell said, "And I am confident we will see many other program firsts and records on Sunday."
 
The No. 2-seeded Hiram Terriers will open play at the D3 STUNT National Championships on Sunday, May 2 against the No. 3-seeded Olivet Comets at 2:00 p.m., before taking on the No. 1-seeded Alma College Scots at 3:30 p.m.