A Morning to Remember: DBU Cheerleaders Celebrate Baptism and Championships in Daytona Beach

This year at NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida, four members of the Dallas Baptist University Cheer team experienced a moment even bigger than competition — they were baptized in the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by their teammates, coaches, and family.

Ellie Gillespie, Reagan Drown, Kate Hopper, and Makaylynn Santellan each shared their testimonies before stepping into the waters of baptism. The team chose Daytona Beach for this special moment because it marks the biggest event of their season, and because so many family members had traveled from across the country to be part of Nationals. It made for the perfect setting to celebrate a life-changing decision of faith.

Just before sunrise on Saturday morning, the team, families, and coaches gathered on the beach. Each girl stood before the group one by one, sharing her story of how Christ had worked in her life, and chose a coach or family member to baptize them in the ocean waves.

The morning was filled with hugs, tears, and joyful celebrations, a memory far surpassing any trophy or title. But remarkably, the weekend also brought championship victories for the DBU Cheer team. The Patriots were crowned National Champions in both the All-Girl Intermediate Division II and the Game Day Division II competitions, marking the program's eighth national title.

As the team rushed into the Atlantic waters after their national victories — a Daytona tradition — it was clear that this year's celebration carried even deeper meaning. They celebrated not only what they had accomplished, but who they were becoming through Christ.

Head Cheer Coach Callie Taylor reflected on the experience, "This was my sixth NCA nationals to attend as a coach and one that was unlike any other. A sweet morning of hearing how God has changed these girls' lives through our cheer program is something that I will always remember."

At DBU, athletics is about far more than competition. It's about transformation — shaping Christ-centered servant leaders who glorify God in every arena, whether on the mat, in the classroom, or in the waters of baptism.