Wildcats Place Second at Falcon Invite in 2025 Season Opener

WICHITA, Kan. - Kicking off the 2025 competition season, the Baker dance team traveled to Wichita, Kan. on Saturday to compete in the Falcon Invite where the Wildcats earned runner-up honors.

The Wildcats totaled a score of 76.30 to finish in second place in the eight-team competition for the second straight year. Oklahoma City took first with a winning score of 86.03 and the only other Heart of America team, Missouri Valley, placed fifth on a score of 57.90.

The competition marks the first of the season for a Baker dance program that matched its highest finish ever at the NAIA Championships last season after coming in third in the event.

Under the direction of head coach Lynsey Payne, who begins her 16th season with the program, the Wildcats' roster features a couple of returning All-Americans in Katelyn Knaussman and Wrenn Paden, who were named NAIA All-Americans last year.

Baker will compete in a pair of competitions this weekend, beginning with the Midland Invite on Saturday, January 25 in Fremont, Neb., followed by the Grand View Duals on Sunday (Jan. 26) in Des Moines, Iowa.

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