Trust and Triumph
Saint Mary's Inaugural STUNT Season
For Miley Smith ’28, STUNT was what cemented her decision to enroll at Saint Mary’s. As a high school cheerleader, Smith was drawn to Saint Mary’s not only for its academic offerings but also for the chance to be part of a team that would allow her to showcase her athletic abilities in a new way.
According to Head Coach Jillian Humphrey, if she had to pick one word to describe Smith and the other student-athletes on her team, it would be “eager”—eager to learn, eager to improve, and eager to build something lasting. “They get it,” she said, reflecting on the team’s relentless pursuit of growth. “This is year one, but they’re already thinking long-term. They understand that if they stay dedicated they can become a team that contends with the best.” With a mix of raw talent and a vision for the future, this inaugural STUNT team at Saint Mary’s is laying the foundation for what promises to be an exciting journey ahead.
STUNT, a skill-intensive sport derived from traditional cheerleading, is gaining ground across collegiate athletics as one of the fastest-growing women’s sports in the United States. As one of the few all-women’s institutions to adopt this emerging sport, Saint Mary’s College is offering its athletes not just a place to compete, but a chance to shape the future of their team. “When you look at STUNT, it embodies exactly what we stand for here at Saint Mary’s,” Humphrey said. “It’s an athletic pursuit, yes, but it also provides women the chance to break barriers and defy expectations.”
Diverse Strengths to Unified Success
At the heart of the program is a dedicated team of athletes who, despite being in their inaugural season, have demonstrated incredible determination. The roster, while considered small at 18 athletes, is filled with students who come from diverse backgrounds. The team is built on the idea of mutual support, hard work, and growth. “What’s special about this program is that we are all first-timers,” Humphrey said. “It’s a learning experience for everyone. We don’t have a huge roster like most schools, but we have a tight-knit group that’s willing to put in the effort, and that’s what makes all the difference.”
The team features a mix of cheerleaders, gymnasts, dancers, and weightlifters, each bringing their own strengths to the table. The task lies not only in developing each individual but also in finding a way to mesh their talents into a cohesive team. “You can’t just put them all together and expect it to work,” Humphrey said. “It takes patience and communication.” Over time, the team evolves into a unit, where each person’s skill complements the others. “It’s not just about blending skills,” Humphrey explained. “It’s about understanding each other and how we can lift each other up, literally and figuratively.”
It embodies exactly what we stand for here at Saint Mary’s. It’s an athletic pursuit, yes, but it also provides women the chance to break barriers and defy expectations.
- -Jillian humphrey, Stunt head coach
In STUNT, the line between success and failure is often as thin as the air between a base and a flyer during a stunt. This makes trust one of the most vital components of the team. The sport’s very nature demands more than just technical proficiency; it requires complete reliance on one another.
“As a STUNT athlete, you can’t do it alone,” says Katherine Comito ’26, a team member who has seen firsthand the importance of trust in the sport. “You need your teammates to lift you, catch you, and help you perform the stunts. We have to trust each other completely.” In many ways, each stunt represents a shared leap of faith. If one athlete falters, the entire team can be affected, which is why building strong, dependable relationships is essential to the team’s success.
Understanding the pressures that come with balancing academics, athletics, and personal lives enhances the sense of empathy and care within the team. “It’s important to know that someone might be stressed because they have a big test coming up or they might not be feeling well,” Comito added. “Knowing what’s going on in each other’s lives helps you understand why a stunt might not go as well on one day, and it strengthens that connection.” The deep sense of sisterhood that comes from the shared experience of being on the team creates a unique bond among the athletes. “Even when you’re not best friends, you know your teammate and you stick up for each other,” Lydia Alexander ’25 said. “The long hours together create a community built on trust. Trust isn’t just about knowing someone’s abilities in the gym, but knowing they’ve got your back.”
Historically, cheerleading was seen as a sideline activity, but STUNT is changing that narrative by showcasing the athleticism, skill, and precision required to succeed. “For so long, cheerleaders were judged on their ability to smile, look pretty, and wave pom-poms,” Humphrey said. “STUNT is different. It’s about strength, skill, and teamwork.”
Miley Smith agreed. “Joining the STUNT team was the perfect fit for me,” she said. “It allowed me to do what I love without the things I didn’t enjoy about traditional cheerleading.”
Looking to the Future: Growth and Ambition
As the STUNT program continues to evolve, the team has big plans for the future. Next year, Humphrey plans to expand the roster and continue to build a legacy that future generations of Saint Mary’s athletes can look up to.
This ambition was already evident in their first successful competition hosted on campus in February. Dubbed the Crossroad Rumble, the event marked a significant milestone for the Saint Mary’s STUNT team, not only showcasing their skills but also establishing their presence in the competitive landscape. Hosting the event gave the athletes the chance to demonstrate their hard work and dedication in front of a home crowd, creating a sense of pride and accomplishment for both the team and the Saint Mary’s community.
For the athletes, the focus is not on accolades but on the journey itself—the process of learning, growing, and building a team dynamic that transcends the sport. “Being part of this inaugural year is such a unique experience,” Smith said. “I’m so lucky to be on a team with such encouraging women.”