Sacramento State hosted the NCAA Division I STUNT National Championship for the first time in the sport’s six-year history, and for the Hornets, it was a bittersweet competition at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on Thursday, April 28.

The Hornets entered the first round of the four-team tournament against Oklahoma State, the defending national champions, and lost 21-6 after failing to score an outright point against the Cowboys.

Sac State coach Kori Thomas watched on as her team made uncharacteristic mistakes in the face of championship pressure that had not been felt all season long.

“The first game we were nervous going against the No. 2 seed. … Last year we scored two points against them,” Thomas said. “This year we had six, so we did way better for ourselves, and then just going into [game two], I think we were just tired.”

This fatigue showed as the Hornets trailed Hofstra University 8-2 after two quarters in the elimination round of the tournament, but junior Sabrina Martin didn’t allow her teammates to quit at halftime.

“For us, we had a lot of seniors at this game. We wanted to give it our all for them,” Martin said. “It was also the last time with our coach, and we wanted to give it all for her, and I think the biggest factor was it being in Sacramento, in our home. It was like no matter what happens, we have to give it our all.”

Sac State immediately entered the second half scoring the first outright point of the day against Hofstra, but the deficit proved to be too hard to overcome as the Hornets lost 19-8 and were eliminated from the tournament.

The early exit was a tough pill to swallow for the home team, but Thomas recognized that finishing fourth in the nation for two straight years is an accomplishment in itself.

“Our biggest thing is that we wanted to qualify again. Being from California, the level of competition just isn’t here. For college there’s really only a few schools, and we’re the best in California,” Thomas said. “We’re proud to rep that, but … the teams here, they compete against each other a little more frequently, so if you compete against better teams, you’re going to eventually be better.”

To go along with the overall bittersweet nature of the day, Sac State ended the tournament knowing that it would be the last for Thomas as she informed the team that she will be taking a break from cheer in order to focus on her family.

Senior Cera Moreno, who describes Thomas as a big sister, is one of the many on the team to express gratitude for the time spent with the four-year coach.

“Last year she was nominated for the coach of the year after going to nationals for the first time placing fourth. This year we wanted to make her proud, and we placed fourth again,” Moreno said. “I was on the team with her when I was a freshman. She was my first coach. She came in when I came in, so we’ve been through this journey together, and I’m leaving at about the same exact time as she is.”

The coaching reins will be passed over to another former Sac State cheerleader, James Blunk. The team will have to make a quick turnaround as tryouts begin on May 1, but for now, Martin and her teammates will enjoy the moment.

“Next year we’re going to strive to get third. Being ranked fourth out of 11 college teams in Division I is still a really big deal for us,” Martin said. “We’re really proud to go back home to our school and let them know that we’re fourth in the nation. We’re Sac State STUNT.”