Jump into history: Randolph’s new STUNT team heads into competition

The most exciting aspect of STUNT, one of Randolph College’s newest athletic programs, is its unpredictability. 

“You might be flying today, or you might be backing a teammate,” said coach Shania Thorpe. “You never know where you’re coming into the game.” 

STUNT is a relatively new sport that incorporates the technical and athletic components of cheer without the crowd-leading element. 

Athletes compete in head-to-head matchups across four quarters of play, executing skills like jumps and tumbling, pyramids, partner stunts, tosses, and team routines. 

“You’re performing simultaneously, against the other team, so whoever is executing the best is getting the points,” Thorpe explained. “You’re fighting to have the cleanest performance, with no deductions and no falls. It’s strategic, too, and the roles are constantly shifting. You sub in and sub out the right people, so not everyone is on the mat at the same time.” 

Hallie Darmante ’28 cheered throughout high school, but didn’t start competitive cheer until her senior year. That was all it took for the spark to be lit, and she jumped at the chance to continue competing while making history at not just Randolph but in collegiate sports.

“I feel really honored to be a small part of this emerging phenomenon and am so excited to see where it goes,” Darmante said. “I have high hopes that Randolph will help shape the sport and encourage other girls to pursue this incredible opportunity.” 

By highlighting the athleticism, structure, and team-based aspects of STUNT, Darmante hopes to challenge stereotypes and give it the respect it deserves.

“It defeats the overarching assumption that cheer isn’t a sport,” she said. “STUNT proves that cheer is a highly athletic sport that requires the same skills, if not more, than many other highly recognized athletics.” 

Thorpe grew up participating in competitive cheer and wishes STUNT had been an option during her time as a student-athlete. 

“I wanted to be on the mat competing, tumbling, and jumping,” she said. “STUNT would have been the perfect outlet for me.”

Before coming to Randolph, Thorpe served as the head cheer and dance coach at Averett University, where she led her teams to two national championships and one Grand National Championship. 

“It’s clear Shania was the right choice to lead this unique and innovative program for Randolph,” said Athletic Director Tom Galbraith. “Her experience as a championship collegiate coach and program builder already in the region translates well to the type of program we are looking to build.” 

More than 60 schools offer varsity STUNT, including 13 NCAA Division III institutions. But Randolph is the only team so far in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference—and, at the time the spring sport was announced, the only school east of the Appalachian Mountains and south of New Jersey to offer it—so Thorpe and the athletes will travel to competitions when their season starts.

“Being part of this brand-new, evolving sport has been the most exciting part of my college career,” said Alexis Connor ’26, who has participated in competitive cheer and gymnastics. “I’ve always loved being the person to hype up my teammates and the crowd, creating crowd-crazy routines.” 

Thorpe’s coaching and recruiting philosophy is simple: Heart over sport. 

“I want athletes who have good hearts and good attitudes,” she said. “I can teach you how to stunt and jump. But your character is who you are, and that’s harder to change. I’m also big on knowing who these girls are and what they need. I want them to know they have me on and off the mat.”  

Follow the team at https://randolphwildcats.com/sports/stunt and see their full schedule at https://randolphwildcats.com/sports/stunt/schedule/2025.

This story appears in the Fall 2024 edition of Randolph College’s magazine, Vita Abundantior.