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Keep up with all the stories and opinions of students. Opinions published are not necessarily those of MVNU, the Church of the Nazarene or Viewer advertisers. The Viewer does not necessarily uphold or advocate opinions published.
Cheers Go Silent: Competition Cheer Team Canceled for Remainder of Season
By Ethan Cline, Staff Writer and Video Team
The competitive cheerleading season at MVNU ended at the beginning of the semester after multiple departures during the year left the roster below the minimum required to compete.
According to team members, the competitive season began with 15 members. Two stepped away earlier in the season, and then four additional athletes left within three days following Christmas break. The program had no option but to end its competition season after now only having nine members, falling just below the minimum required 10 participants. The sideline cheer squad for other MVNU athletics will still remain and practice, however.
Team members met with athletics director Chip Wilson on Thursday, Feb. 12 to discuss their concerns, opening up discussion about the season cancellation.
When asked, multiple current and former team members expressed their sadness about the abrupt ending and particular empathy for the younger athletes who will not experience a full season.
“As a senior on the team it’s really sad to see the season come to an end like this,” said former cheerleader Naomi Kinne, who now serves as the team’s graphic designer and social media manager after medically retiring. “My freshman year, traveling with the team and staying in hotels and going out to eat and all of that is how I made so many of my friends at MVNU.”
Skyler Salsberry, a former team captain, also reflected on her time in the competitive program and the tragedy of stepping away near the end of her collegiate cheer career.
“Cheerleading has been a major part of my life,” Salsberry said. “I’ve been cheering for nearly three and a half years at MVNU, including serving as a team captain just recently. My first years in the program were filled with positive experiences like building close friendships, growing as an athlete and representing the university at games and events.”
Salsberry reflected on challenges that emerged later in the year contributing to her decision to leave, emphasizing that the choice was made with her well-being in mind. “Stepping away was a hard choice, but one I made to protect my well-being, while still holding gratitude for the years that meant so much to me and wishing the team continued success,” she said.
Students close to the situation described it as complex, listing a variety of factors that ultimately led to the team members departing. Some mentioned concerns related to coaching, while others emphasized academic stress and difficulties of balancing athletics with coursework.
The shocking and disappointing cancellation on short notice threw a wrench in what began as a promising year. Athletes recount the challenges faced—tempted to linger on what could have been different— but they ultimately look to a future season where the team will regroup and return.
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Basketball Beats Number One 
By Shawn Williamson, Staff Writer and Video Team
The MVNU men’s basketball team earned one of its biggest wins of the season at home on Feb. 7, upsetting No. 1-ranked Grace College with the score 79-66. The Cougars (14-10, 6-8 Crossroads League) gained momentum just before halftime when Trent Koning buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give MVNU a 40-36 lead. A strong defensive effort held the Lancers (22-2, 12-2 CL) to 32 percent shooting and just six-of-27 from beyond the arc, while MVNU shot 43 percent from the floor and tallied 21 assists. Isaiah Brown paced the offense with 20 points off the bench, and Koning added 14 points and seven assists as the Cougars secured their statement victory over the nation’s top-ranked team.
MVNU Cougars Make Third Straight Trip to Nationals, Built on Culture of Unity and Growth
By Jackson Bush, Staff Writer
For the third year in a row, the MVNU Cougars women’s volleyball team heads to the national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa — a milestone that speaks to not only their talent but the unity and culture that the program has cultivated under Coach Mosher.
The Cougars clinched their national appearance by sweeping the University of Rio Grande Red Storm in straight sets (25-13, 25-19, 25-22) on Nov. 22 in Ariel Arena, improving their overall record to 26–8.
Senior libero Jaelyn Tang — a defensive anchor and team leader — said what really sets the team apart is the love and closeness they share off the court. “Because of that, we are able to lift one another up and be encouraging in times of need,” she said.
That closeness isn’t just talk: per Tang, the girls spend much of their time together even outside of practices and matches. As a freshman, Tang looked to older teammates for guidance; now she reflected, “My role has evolved … I have been able to switch roles and guide those younger than me.”
Broadcasting the Cougars’ games this season were juniors from MVNU’s men’s volleyball program — Xander DeVault and Ethan Cline — who observed the growth and consistency of the team up close.
“Coach Mosher has done a great job at building this squad and maintaining their success,” said DeVault. “It seems they are to the point where every year they don’t rebuild but just reload.”
He added that the team’s performance has steadily improved — from shaky early losses to a unit he hardly recognizes now — all because of their bond. “These girls play not only for a win or for glory, but they play for each other, and that is something special.”
Cline echoed a sentiment – “Each and every year … they gain more experience and hunger because they then know what it takes … to get one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal, which is to win a national championship.” He believes the 2025 roster has the depth and talent to beat any team in the country — provided they bring their best to Iowa.
Their journey — built on recruitment, hard work and an unshakeable team culture — demonstrates that success isn’t just about star players or stats but about relationships, resilience and trust. For seniors like Tang, the trip to Iowa represents more than just another tournament: it’s a final chapter alongside teammates who have become like family, and it’s a legacy she hopes will continue long after graduation.
As she said, “There is no other team I would want to fight alongside.”
Honoring the Past, Playing for the Future: MVNU Gears Up for Homecoming Game
By Naomi Kinne, Staff Writer
As homecoming weekend approaches, excitement grows across the campus of MVNU. Current students are anticipating the special homecoming chapel, while alumni are looking forward to returning to campus to reconnect with old friends during class reunions. For the Cougar men’s basketball team and Head Coach Jared Ronai, homecoming weekend means another thing: game time!
To Coach Ronai, however, homecoming is about more than a basketball game. It is an opportunity to connect with alumni and hear their MVNU stories. “Alumni from multiple generations will be back on campus, and it is awesome to see how much this great university has meant to so many throughout the years,” Ronai said. As part of his decade-long legacy, he has poured into MVNU by building the foundation of the program on Christ.
As the season continues, Ronai is excited to see his players step into leadership roles while keeping their focus on faith. One of those leaders is a fifth-year senior, Trent Koning, who has been a steady influence in the program.
For Koning’s final season as a Cougar, he is honored to continue the tradition of playing in the homecoming game. “Being able to give it my best effort on the court to honor the alumni is something I take a lot of pride in, and I am super grateful to do,” he said. Koning is determined to finish his final season strong while leading the team into the future.
While Koning’s basketball career is nearing its end, Bede Lori still has two more seasons ahead of him as a Cougar. Lori, who began playing basketball at just three years old, said that competing at the college level in front of a homecoming crowd means a lot to him.
One of Lori’s favorite aspects of the homecoming game is connecting with graduates from the game. “I love seeing the former players that I have played with or have heard Coach talk about. It’s cool to be able to meet them and hear about their experience at MVNU,” Lori said. Because he was drawn to MVNU and the team’s strong culture, he sees homecoming as an opportunity to meet the faces who built that culture.
To join in on the homecoming festivities head to Ariel Arena on Friday, Nov. 14 as the Cougars tip off at 7:30 p.m. Cheer on Coach Ronai and his team as they continue their season and celebrate another chapter in MVNU’s basketball tradition.
A Global Game: MVNU Men’s Soccer Welcomes 18 Nations and New Coach
by Naomi Kinne, Staff Writer
The MVNU men’s soccer team enters the new season with many fresh faces, including a new head coach and a variety of international athletes. Of the 52 players, 25 traveled from 18 different countries outside of the U.S.
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Before MVNU, coach Kaleb Blevins started coaching at 14 and has since coached for club and college teams. He played college soccer at Ohio Christian University. At MVNU, he appreciates the Christian environment as well as the high-level soccer, saying, “It’s a very tight knit community feel here. I think that the guys definitely have a brotherhood between the players. The community aspect of all of it is really unique.” Blevins has seen the team’s diversity as a blessing and is excited to lead the Cougars this season.
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One of Blevins’ recent recruits was Elkana Maier. Just four weeks ago, Maier traveled more than 4,000 miles from Germany to MVNU. He gave up having no speed limits in Germany to study business and be a midfielder for the Cougars.
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Maier was drawn to MVNU because of the coach’s openness and kindness. “I wanted to go to college to play soccer. The coach talked to me and was really open. He saw me as a player and was really kind,” he explained. Maier has a goal of leading the Cougars to the playoffs and a national title. Off the field, Maier feels very welcomed at MVNU and loves how friendly and genuine everyone is.
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This is Maier’s first time in America, but Matias Del Solar has lived in America for the past two years. Originally from Peru, Del Solar transferred to MVNU from a community college in Texas.
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Del Solar loves his home country, especially its food. “My favorite food there is ceviche, and we are number one in the world for gastronomy,” he said. He loves Peru—but also enjoys life in America. Like Maier, Del Solar was drawn to MVNU by the team and coach. He believes that the team has skilled players and is eager to win the conference championship.
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The Cougars are off to a strong start under Blevins, with a record of 4-1-2.
Fans can catch them in action at CH4 Stadium against Goshen on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.