ROCKLIN, Calif. – It can be hard to live up to expectations when you walk away as the best in the nation in just your second year of existence. The bar was set very high for Jessup STUNT in 2023, but for this third-year program, it's safe to say the expectations were exceeded.
 
Led by head coach Alexis Blunk, the Warriors have done the unthinkable, winning not one but TWO national championships in the first three years of existence. How they did it in 2023 was a display of pure dominance.
 
Team three, as dubbed by Blunk, was coming off a 13-5 season in 2022. Jessup won 11 of 13 to close out the year, sending them into the summer with a tidal wave of momentum behind them.
 
It was clear from the start of 2023 that the wave had only grown.
 
Jessup won its first game of the season in dominating fashion, taking down UC Davis 22-1 inside Warrior Arena. Up next was one of the most marquee road trips in university history, as Jessup hit the road for Dallas to take on a slew of NCAA talent, including Kentucky and Texas Tech.
 
With NCAA Division I programs staring them down, Jessup did not flinch, leaving Dallas with four victories while outscoring opponents 75-34.
 
Fresh off the road to Dallas, Jessup had another marquee matchup awaiting them as Vanguard came to town, setting up the first meeting between the two sides since the National Championship Game a year prior. Much like the ending from nationals in 2022, the Warriors were again victorious. It was the first of two 14-11 victories on March 3, as Jessup later took down their head coach's alma mater, Cal Poly.
 
Everything was going great for the Warriors, but then came Cal Baptist. Considered the class of collegiate STUNT, the reigning NCAA Division I National Champions handed Jessup its first loss in 322 days. Jessup's ten-game win streak was over, but a new one was about to begin.
 
Starting once again with a victory over Vanguard, Jessup won seven straight to wrap up the regular season. Their final win, a 24-0 shutout of UC Davis on Senior Night, sent Jessup off to nationals as the top seed, ranked No. 1 in the nation.
 
Included in that win streak was a 3-0 trip to Fullerton, resulting in the Warriors walking out with the inaugural GSAC STUNT Championship.
 
Back to the NAIA STUNT Nationals went the Warriors, except this time, they would have to visit Oklahoma rather than the competition coming to Rocklin. Up first was the hosting Oklahoma City Stars, and much like their nationals matchup from a year prior, Jessup came out on top by the final of 23-2.
 
Next came another meeting with Vanguard, with the winner advancing to the championship round. In Jessup's closest battle of the season, the Lions gave the Warriors all they had, but Jessup still prevailed, winning 14-13. Vanguard was not done, however, as they won their way into the championship, setting up one more Jessup-Vanguard battle to determine the best STUNT program in the NAIA.
 
Thanks to a 7-1 lead at halftime, the Warriors built up a cushion to fight off a Vanguard comeback as Jessup stormed the mat in jubilation after beating VU 17-11 to win their second-consecutive NAIA STUNT National Championship.
 
It seems impossible that a program could go winless in 2021 just to bounce back and win the national championship each of the next two seasons. But that's exactly what the Warriors have done, and if you ask around the Jessup STUNT program, they'll tell you they are not done yet.
 
When the Warriors hit the mat in 2024, they will look to do the unthinkable again. The quest for a repeat National Championship is back on. Except this time, team four will be looking for a three-peat.
   
Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).