Category: News

The confirmation letter of the 2026 NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance National Championship arrived as a professional acknowledgment of the Our Lady of the Lake University spirit program’s continued excellence. Sent by Lizzy Howard, it recognized the teams successes and offered ongoing support through the upcoming preparation period.

For OLLU, this confirmation aligns with the rich history of its spirit program which is a tradition built on discipline, competitive achievement, and a commitment to representing the university with pride. Under the leadership of Head Coach Crystal Brock and supported by Assistant Coaches Joe Gonzalez, Sean Flores, and Nicholas Aguon, along with Graduate Assistants Madicela Perez and Ember Sandoval, the program has maintained a standard of professionalism and growth year after year.

Among the athletes contributing to this legacy is fourth-year dancer Yasmine Escobar, whose experience and leadership have become valuable assets to the team. Her dedication reflects the broader culture of commitment that has long defined OLLU’s cheer, dance, and spirit teams.

With their place at the 2026 national championship officially secured, the program now moves forward with focused preparation, intent on carrying its history of excellence and strong leadership into the national championships in Daytona Beach.

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The Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference are moving forward with a collaborative effort designed to expand leadership opportunities and strengthen support for Senior Woman Leaders across both leagues. This joint initiative signifies a unified commitment to elevating women in collegiate athletics administration and creating a more connected, empowered network of leaders within member institutions.

Central to this collaboration is the formation of a cross-conference leadership team composed of three highly accomplished administrators. Their combined expertise, dedication, and vision will guide the development of a shared structure that enhances communication, professional growth, and visibility for women serving in SWL roles. Among them, Haley Holzem stands out as a driving force behind the effort. As Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Title IX Deputy, and Senior Woman Leader at Our Lady of the Lake University, she has spent seven years contributing to the advancement of her institution and the Red River Athletic Conference. As the current SWL Chair for the RRAC, her leadership is instrumental in shaping the direction and cohesion of this new initiative.

Working alongside her is Shannon Glendening, Athletics Office Administrator and Senior Woman Leader at Central Christian College of Kansas. Beginning her role in August 2025 and serving as the SWL Chair for the Sooner Athletic Conference, she brings a collaborative mindset and a strong interest in building meaningful cross-conference relationships. Her perspective is essential as the two conferences work to develop shared opportunities and strengthen community among SWLs.

Also serving on the leadership team is Fachaitte Kinslow, Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Senior Woman Leader at Texas A&M University–Texarkana. Having joined TAMUT in May after four and a half years at Langston University as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and SWL, she offers deep experience in cultivating leadership pathways for women in sports administration. Her role as the inaugural Chair of the SWLA Leadership Association further connects this collaborative effort to broader national conversations about elevating women in athletics leadership.

Together, Haley Holzem, Shannon Glendening, and Fachaitte Kinslow will guide the joint initiative between the Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference with a unified vision centered on opportunity, visibility, and support. Their combined leadership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the Senior Woman Leader designation and ensuring that women across both conferences have access to the resources and community they need to thrive.

This collaboration marks an important step forward for both conferences and for the SWLs who serve within them. As the initiative develops, it promises to enhance communication, deepen connections, and expand leadership development opportunities for women throughout the two leagues. John Martin encourages all Senior Woman Leaders to engage with this effort and to reach out with questions as the collaboration continues to grow.

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Our Lady of the Lake University junior guard Shayla Dede has earned recognition as the Red River Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week after a standout stretch of performances that showcased her consistency, efficiency, and growing leadership on the court. During the week of Dec. 1–7, Dede delivered two strong outings that not only highlighted her scoring ability but also her versatility as an all-around contributor.

In OLLU’s 73–61 victory over Southwest, Dede played one of her most complete games of the season. She scored 16 points while dominating the boards with an impressive 8 rebounds, a rare feat for a guard. Her efficiency was evident as she converted 5-of-12 field goals, including a three-pointer, and remained perfect at the free-throw line, sinking all five attempts. She also added four assists in 34 minutes, helping guide the Saints to their highest-scoring win of the season.

Dede elevated her performance even further in the matchup against North Texas-Dallas, recording a career-high 24 points despite the Saints falling 73–63. She delivered an exceptional shooting night, hitting 5-of-6 from the field and going a flawless 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Her aggressive play earned her 13 trips to the free-throw line, where she converted 11 attempts. Along with her scoring burst, she contributed four rebounds, an assist, and four steals, demonstrating her competitiveness on both ends of the floor.

Across the season, Dede has emerged as OLLU’s leading scorer with 116 total points, averaging 14.5 per game. She also leads the Saints in free throws made, assists, and steals, underscoring her importance to the team’s overall structure and pace. While the Saints stand at 2–6 overall and 1–2 in conference play, Dede’s performances continue to provide a strong foundation as the team works to build momentum. Her latest recognition as Offensive Player of the Week reflects not only her individual excellence but also her growing impact as a catalyst for the Saints development moving forward.

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