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Injured cheerleader keeps her spirit March 8: Southern Illinois University cheerleader Kristi Yamaoka and her doctor talk with 'Today' show anchor Katie Couric about her fall and her super school spirit. |
A cheerleader who continued to cheer for her team from a gurney despite tumbling 15 feet onto her head said Wednesday she was worried the accident would distract from the basketball game.
“My biggest concern was that I didn’t want my squad to be distracted — so that they could continue cheering on the team — and I didn’t want my team to be distracted from winning the game,” Kristi Yamaoka, 18, told NBC’s “Today” show.
Yamaoka, a Southern Illinois University sophomore from Springfield, Ill., suffered a concussion, a spinal fracture and a bruised lung when she lost her balance atop a human pyramid during a time-out in Sunday’s game against Bradley.
She drew national attention as she was wheeled off the court. When the pep band fired up the school’s fight song “Go Southern Go,” Yamaoka gave a two-handed thumbs up from the gurney, then moved her arms — the only things not strapped down — in time to the music and cheered.
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Following Yamaoka’s accident, the Missouri Valley Conference barred certain cheerleading stunts during this week’s women’s basketball tournament. Cheerleaders may not be launched or tossed and may not take part in formations higher than two levels during the tournament.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Beyond the Arc: No. 11 Michigan State ends No. 3 Ohio State's 39-game home winning streak with a 58-48 victory.
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College hoops power rankings A look at the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com |
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Five up, five down from college hoops’ huge day6 hr 56 min ago Michigan State sure shook up Big Ten by beating Buckeyes7 hr 41 min ago UNLV’s thrilling win vs. SDSU adds spice to MWC race12 hr 9 min ago |
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Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
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