STUNT Athlete Recognized At Women's Sports Foundation's Annual Salute To Women In Sports

BARTLETT, Tenn., Oct. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Cheer is proud to announce that Jasmine Owens, a STUNT athlete was included in the Women's Sports Foundation Annual Salute to Women in Sports. Jasmine took the stage as part of the procession of female athletes during the annual banquet recognizing excellence in sport on October 17 in New York City.

Billie Jean King founded the Women's Sports Foundation in 1974 with the goal of advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. This year marks the 39^th year that the Women's Sports Foundation has hosted the event, which recognizes athletes from every sport from basketball to snowboarding, and the fifth time a STUNT athlete has been recognized by the foundation.

"I am so proud of all that Jasmine has accomplished and I am thrilled that she was able to represent USA Cheer and STUNT at the Women's Sports Foundation's Salute to Women in Sports," said Lauri Harris, Executive Director of USA Cheer, which developed STUNT. "She is a great example of everything we want a STUNT athlete to be, and a role model for all STUNT athletes."

Jasmine recently graduated from Oklahoma State University with a major in strategic communications and a minor in history. After traveling through Europe this summer, Jasmine started an internship this fall. She hopes to secure a full time position in the Dallas Fort Worth area after her internship.  In addition to being named STUNT's Athlete of the Year for 2018, Jasmine has been recognized as a first team STUNT All American for three years, and was a member of the 2018 All American team. A versatile athlete, Jasmine was able to base in partner stunts, perform in middle layers in pyramids, serve as a top in baskets, and take part in most jumps and tumbling routines for the OSU STUNT team.  

"STUNT has given me confidence in my ability to excel in my sport," said Jasmine. "I've also learned that mastering a comprehensive set of skills makes any athlete a crucial part of a team. I hope to take these skills forward in my career."

Created by USA Cheer to be an additional sport option for female athletes, STUNT was derived from traditional cheerleading and developed to fulfill all NCAA emerging sport requirements, and has consistently met all minimum requirements for consideration. STUNT removes the crowd-leading of traditional cheerleading and focuses on the technical and athletic components, which include partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, jumps and tumbling skills. 

For more information about STUNT, please contact Sheila Noone, at [email protected].

About USA Cheer

USA Cheer is a not-for profit organization and is the national governing body for all disciplines of cheerleading. USA Cheer exists to serve the entire cheer community, including club cheering (All Star), traditional school based cheer programs and the new sport of STUNT. USA Cheer has three primary objectives: help grow and develop interest and participation in Cheer throughout the United States; promote safety and safety education for cheer in the United States; and represent the United States of America in international cheer competitions. 

SOURCE USA Cheer