Wildcats Open Up 2024 Dance Season with Runner-Up Finish at Falcon Invite

WICHITA, Kan. – Coming off a national title at last year's DTU College Classic, the Baker dance team began its 2024 season by receiving second-place honors at the Falcon Invite on Friday in Wichita, Kan.

The Wildcats earned a score of 73.27 to finish behind first-place Oklahoma City (81.30) and ahead of Ottawa (55.13), host Friends (43.03) and McPherson (41.17) in the five-team competition.

It marks the first competition for a Baker dance program that made its seventh appearance at the NAIA Championships last season and secured its second straight Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship as the Wildcats have won three of the past four conference titles.

Under head coach Lynsey Payne, who enters her 15th season at the helm, BU boasts a pair of returning All-Americans to its roster this year with Olivia Chrisman and Emma Jones, who each received honorable-mention honors. The Wildcats also return Zach Bejarano, Katelyn Knaussman, Wrenn Paden and Linda Shine who joined Chrisman and Jones as Baker's all-conference selections from last season.

Baker continues its season with a trip to the Midland Invite on Jan. 26 in Fremont, Neb. as part of three straight road competitions for the Wildcats before hosting their annual Baker Classic on Feb. 17 in Baldwin City.

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