{¶ 1} Appellants, Angela, Robert, and Rhonda Crace, appeal the decision of the Ohio Court of Claims granting judgment to appellee, Kent State University (“KSU”), after a bench trial on the bifurcated issue of KSU’s liability. The trial court granted judgment to KSU after finding that the defense of primary assumption of the risk barred appellants’ negligence and loss-of-consortium claims. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the decision of the trial court.
{¶ 2} On February 12, 2001, Angela was a junior at KSU and was a member and captain of KSU’s varsity cheerleading team. During the team’s practice on that date, the KSU coach, Lenee Buchman, assigned participants to positions in a maneuver known as the Big K.
{¶ 3} The Big K was essentially a human pyramid that consisted of a base, a middle layer/base, and flyers. Additionally, spotters were positioned on the ground to catch the flyers when they came down. The pyramid was two and one-half people high and had the highest degree of difficulty permitted by the NCAA.
{¶ 4} Angela and several other members of the KSU team had performed the Big K successfully in the previous season. However, several other members of the KSU team had not performed nor even seen the Big K before the team attempted it on February 12, 2001. Indeed, KSU’s team included cheerleaders with varying levels of experience and expertise.
{¶ 5} On February 12, 2001, Buchman assigned Angela to the position of a flyer. The first two attempts at the mount failed, which resulted in Angela falling from around 15 feet in the air. After each of these two failed attempts, Angela’s front spotter caught her when she fell. Before the third attempt, Buchman substituted Detrick Cobbin as Angela’s rear spotter. Cobbin had neither seen nor participated in the Big K prior to February 12, 2001.
{¶ 6} According to Cobbin, before the third attempt, he told Buchman that he was uncomfortable performing as a spotter in the Big K. According to Buchman, this statement never occurred.
{¶ 7} It is undisputed, however, that Cobbin participated in the third attempt, which again failed. As a result, Angela again fell from around 15 feet in the air. When she came down, Cobbin failed to catch her. Instead, he panicked, shielded
{¶ 8} Accordingly, appellants filed this suit against KSU alleging claims of negligence and loss of consortium based upon Buchman’s conduct. The bifurcated issue of KSU’s liability proceeded to a bench trial on July 24, 2006. On November 12, 2008, the trial court issued a decision granting judgment to KSU. Appellants timely appealed and raise the following assignments of error:
1. The trial court erred in granting judgment to the appellee as a matter of law with regard to [the] application of the doctrine of primary assumption of [the] risk.
2. The trial court erred in granting judgment to the appellee with regard to its application of the standard of reckless or intentional conduct being necessary with regard to this cause of action.
3. The trial court’s decision was contrary [to] and in disregard of the manifest weight of the evidence^] and [the trial court] erred in granting judgment for the appellee, by [determining] that the appellant faded to prove negligence and/or reckless conduct, by the appellee’s agent.
{¶ 9} We will initially address appellants’ first and second assignments of error, which relate to the trial court’s application of the primary-assumption-of-the-risk defense to the circumstances of this matter. The issues therefore regard whether Angela assumed the risk of injury by participating in varsity cheerleading at KSU.
{¶ 10} It is well settled that Ohio law recognizes three separate types of the defense of assumption of the risk: express, primary, and implied. Ballinger v. Leaniz Roofing, Ltd., 10th Dist. No. 07AP-696,
{¶ 11} Express assumption of the risk applies when parties expressly agree to release liability. Ballinger at ¶ 7; see also Zigler v. Avco Corp.,
{¶ 13} Under primary assumption of the risk, a person assumes the inherent risks of the recreational activity and cannot recover for injuries unless another person acted recklessly or intentionally. Santho v. Boy Scouts of Am.,
{¶ 14} The Supreme Court of Ohio has further described the underlying rationale. See Thompson v. McNeill (1990),
Acts that would give rise to tort liability for negligence on a city street or in a backyard are not negligent in the context of a game where such an act is foreseeable and within the rules. For instance, a golfer who hits practice balls in his backyard and inadvertently hits a neighbor who is gardening or mowing the lawn next door must be held to a different standard than a golfer whose drive hits another golfer on a golf course. A principal difference is the golfer’s duty to the one he hit. The neighbor, unlike the other golfer or spectator on the course, has not agreed to participate or watch and cannot be expected to foresee or accept the attendant risk of injury. Conversely, the spectator or participant must accept from a participant conduct associated with that sport. Thus a player who injures another player in the course of a sporting event by conduct that is a foreseeable, customary part of the sport cannot be held liable for negligence because no duty is owed to protect the victim from that conduct. Were we to find such a duty between co-participants in a sport, we might well stifle the rewards of athletic competition.
Id. at 104,
{¶ 15} As a result, primary assumption of the risk negates a negligence claim because no duty is owed to protect against the inherent risks of the recreational activity. Gentry at 144,
{¶ 16} Under primary assumption of the risk, the injured plaintiffs subjective consent to and appreciation for the inherent risks are immaterial to the analysis. Gentry at 144,
[P]rimary assumption of [the] risk requires an examination of the activity itself and not plaintiffs conduct. If the activity is one that is inherently dangerous and from which the risks cannot be eliminated, then a finding of primary assumption of [the] risk is appropriate.
Gehri v. Capital Racing Club, Inc. (June 12,1997), 10th Dist. No. 96APE10-1307,
{¶ 17} On the other side, under the implied-assumption-of-the-risk defense, a court must engage in a comparative-fault analysis. Gallagher at 432,
{¶ 18} In their first and second assignments of error, appellants argue that the proper analysis requires an application of implied, rather than primary assumption of the risk. Appellants attempt to distinguish this matter from the primary-assumption-of-the-risk analysis because the facts of this matter involve a coach’s conduct, rather than the conduct of co-participants.
{¶ 19} However, courts have applied primary assumption of the risk in similar instances. See Sicard v. Univ. of Dayton (1995),
{¶ 20} It is clear that courts generally extend primary assumption of the risk to relieve liability of owners, operators, and sponsors of recreational activities. See Wilson; Bundschu; Whitaker; Rodriguez; see also Kline v. OID Assoc., Inc. (1992),
{¶ 21} It is true that our court previously refused to extend Marchetti and Thompson to nonparticipants. See Evans v. Wills (Dec. 27, 2001), 10th Dist. No. 01AP-422,
{¶ 22} Since Evans, the Supreme Court of Ohio has generally held that “where injuries are sustained in a sporting event, there is no liability for injuries caused by negligent conduct.” Gentry at 143,
{¶ 23} After Gentry, our court had a chance to revisit the issue of whether primary assumption of the risk applies to nonparticipants. See Santho. In that case, Jamie Santho was a nine-year-old boy who attended a family skating event
[Appellants] argue that case law has only applied the doctrine [of primary assumption of the risk] in circumstances where the defendant is another participant. However, a recreation provider ordinarily owes no duty to a participant or spectator of an active sport to eliminate the risks inherent in the sport. Gallagher, supra. Here, Bennett organized the fun skate for Pack 210, as she had on several previous occasions. That was her main project for the pack. Therefore, Bennett qualifies as a recreation provider. Bennett is relieved of liability under the doctrine of primary assumption of the risk even though she was a nonparticipant in the relay race.
Id. at ¶ 13-14. Therefore, our court has previously applied the primary-assumption-of-the-risk defense to nonparticipants. Id.
{¶ 24} Similarly, the Twelfth Appellate District has expressly held: “It is not logical to require ‘reckless’ or ‘intentional’ conduct for recovery against participants, yet allow recovery against non-participants based upon the lower standard of ‘negligence.’ ” Whitaker,
{¶ 25} A holding to the contrary would likely shift the focus of the analysis away from the activity and its inherent risks. The analysis would then unnecessarily focus upon the extent of the defendant’s involvement and the defendant’s classification as a participant, nonparticipant, coach, instructor, official, operator, owner, sponsor, provider, or otherwise. Injured participants would frame their allegations sufficiently to cast a liability net just beyond the reach of Marchetti and Thompson, with no regard for the inherent risks of the activity.
{¶ 26} We therefore reject appellants’ argument that primary assumption of the risk cannot relieve a university of liability based upon the conduct of one of its coaches in a cheerleading practice. Appellants have failed to cite any controlling case law supporting their position.
{¶ 28} As a procedural matter, we note that the case law regarding primary assumption of the risk generally consists of cases resolved upon summary judgment. Conversely, this matter was decided after a bench trial on the bifurcated issue of KSU’s liability. As a result, the trial court had the opportunity to reach factual findings in this matter. Therefore, although we review the application of the primary-assumption-of-the-risk defense de novo, we must nevertheless defer to the trial court’s factual determinations. Tejeda v. Toledo Heart Surgeons, Inc., 6th Dist. No. L-07-1242,
{¶ 29} In its decision, the trial court held that “the risk of injury due to a fall while performing a mounted stunt is a result of a foreseeable, customary part of the sport of cheerleading.” When explaining the support for this finding, the trial court seemingly muddled the analyses of primary and implied assumption of the risk. Specifically, the trial court referenced the testimony of Angela and her former teammates to support the primary-assumption-of-the-risk analysis. We do not suggest that such testimony may never be used in a primary-assumption-of-the-risk analysis. Indeed, the frequency of falls and failed attempts could be evidence supporting or refuting the argument that the risk of injury is inherent in cheerleading. However, in the instant matter, the trial court used this evidence to reach the finding that Angela had a complete appreciation of the risks of cheerleading. Again, however, Angela’s actual appreciation of the inherent risks is irrelevant to the primary-assumption-of-the-risk analysis. See Gentry, supra; see also Gehri, supra. Therefore, whether Angela or her teammates experienced falls is immaterial to this portion of the analysis. So too is the language included in the informed-medical-consent forms that appellants signed. Again, this evidence becomes relevant in determining whether Angela in fact assumed the risk under an implied-assumption-of-the-risk analysis.
{¶ 30} Despite the confusion in this regard, we note that the trial court did not err in ultimately finding that injuries related to falls are an inherent risk of cheerleading. Indeed, we need not reverse the trial court’s judgment merely because it used improper evidence as the basis for its determination. Columbus Steel Castings Co. v. King Tool Co., 10th Dist. No. 08AP-385,
{¶ 31} Regarding the inherent risks of cheerleading, one court has recognized:
*544 Not so very long ago, a row of docile cheerleaders would say, “rah, rah, rah, sis-boom-bah” — maybe a leg would kick up into the air, perhaps a jump under the cheerleader’s own power. This would take the cheerleader a foot or so off the ground. That, however, was yesterday. Today, even appellant recognizes “* * * the acrobatic gymnastic nature of modern cheerleading.” It is not unusual for modern cheerleaders to perform gymnastic stunts which may catapult a cheerleader many feet into the air. What goes up, must come down. This includes cheerleaders. Whenever gravity is at play with the human body, the risk of injury is inherent.
Aaris v. Las Virgenes Unified School Dist. (1998),
{¶ 32} Appellee’s experts opined that injuries are a part of cheerleading. As the head coach of a national-championship-caliber team, Jomo Thompson testified about the injuries that members of his squad suffered. Further, he opined, “all mounts are risky.” Thompson also testified that the coach should make sure the degree of risk is minimized. Appellee’s other expert, James Albert Lord III, opined that pyramids never hit perfectly. Further, he testified that even qualified spotters make mistakes.
{¶ 33} Appellants’ expert, Dr. Steven George, testified about the precarious nature of elevated stunts and human pyramids when he provided:
Cheerleading does hold a unique difference to that of gymnastics in that while both are acrosports,2 in gymnastics, when a performer goes to perform, they’re performing on a — on a piece of apparatus that is stationary, structured, still, solid, and has the exact same performance characteristics every time they use it. * * *
But in cheerleading, in partner stunts and in pyramid building, what you have here is you have an interplay between two or more participants, so it becomes a bit more precarious * * *.
{¶ 34} Dr. George emphasized that coaches should follow the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (“AACCA”) safety manual in order to reduce the risks of cheerleading to manageable levels. Additionally, the trial court aptly noted that the following quote is attributable to Dr. George: “Spotting is not 100% fail-safe. Even under the very best of conditions, the window of foreseeability is never fully opened and the element of risk is forever present.”
{¶ 35} Therefore, according to the experts, the risk of injury is inherent in cheerleading, particularly when performing elevated stunts and human pyramids.
{¶ 36} We therefore find that the trial court did not err by applying the primary-assumption-of-the-risk defense. As such, appellee owed no duty to protect Angela from the inherent risk of injury related to a fall while participating in a mounted stunt or human pyramid. Based upon the claims presented in this matter, appellants may recover only if Buchman acted recklessly or intentionally.
{¶ 37} With regard to this issue, we note that there is neither an allegation nor any evidence supporting the position that Buchman intentionally caused Angela’s injury. Instead, appellants argue that Buchman acted recklessly. The Supreme Court of Ohio has outlined the requisite analysis on this issue. See Thompson v. McNeill (1990),
“The actor’s conduct is in reckless disregard of the safety of others if he does an act or intentionally fails to do an act which it is his duty to the other to do, knowing or having reason to know of facts which would lead a reasonable man to realize, not only that his conduct creates an unreasonable risk of physical harm to another, but also that such risk is substantially greater than that which is necessary to make his conduct negligent.” * * *
What constitutes an unreasonable risk under the circumstances of a sporting event must be delineated with reference to the way the particular game is played, i.e., the rules and customs that shape the participants’ ideas of foreseeable conduct in the course of a game.
Id. at 105,
{¶ 38} In this regard, the experts described the rules and customs of cheer-leading by explaining their experiences and referring to the AACCA safety manual. They presented differing opinions regarding whether Buchman properly ensured that the members of the team, in addition to the team as a whole, were capable and ready to perform the Big K on February 12, 2001.
{¶ 39} Dr. George opined that a specifically defined group must perform proper progressions before attempting a maneuver such as the Big K. He opined that it would be impossible to perform all of the necessary progressions in one day. Further, he opined that by substituting Cobbin before the third attempt, Buchman no longer had a specifically defined group and should have started the progressions from the beginning. Additionally, he opined that a coach does not have the discretion to force a person to perform a difficult and risky stunt when
{¶ 40} On the other side, Thompson and Albert testified that Buchman met the requirements under the AACCA guidelines. They emphasized Buchman’s level of experience as a cheerleading coach. They noted that the injury occurred in February, after the team had cheered for an entire football season and half of a basketball season. They deferred to Buchman on the issue of performer readiness because they opined that only a coach knows when a team and its members are capable of performing a particular maneuver. They testified that the team performed proper progressions by attempting each side of the pyramid before attempting the pyramid as a whole. They testified that it is common and necessary to make substitutions in cheerleading. According to their testimony, a coach has discretion in choosing whether to start progressions from the beginning after a substitution. For all of these reasons, appellee’s experts opined that Buchman did not act recklessly and, in fact, did not even act negligently.
{¶ 41} Having the ability to consider the competing positions, the trial court found that the team was well trained and had performed the proper progressions before attempting the Big K. Further, the trial court found that Buchman did not act recklessly or intentionally. Therefore, the trial court simply accepted the position of appellee’s experts rather than that of the appellants’. Because this matter proceeded to a bench trial, we must defer to the trial court’s factual findings in this regard. See Tejeda, supra.
{¶ 42} Based upon the foregoing analysis, we find that Angela was participating in the recreational activity of cheerleading when she was injured and that there is an inherent risk of injury to cheerleading participants that is incapable of being completely eliminated. Further, because the trial court found that Buchman did not act recklessly or intentionally in causing Angela’s injury, we find that the trial court did not err by finding that primary assumption of the risk barred appellants’ negligence and loss-of-consortium claims against KSU. Appellants’ first two assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 43} In appellants’ third assignment of error, they argue that the trial court’s decision was against the manifest weight of the evidence and constituted a
{¶ 44} When implementing a manifest-weight standard of review, however, an appellate court must “[presume] that the findings of the trier of fact [are] correct.” Id., citing Seasons Coal Co.,
A reviewing court should not reverse a decision simply because it holds a different opinion concerning the credibility of the witnesses and evidence submitted before the trial court. A finding of an error in law is a legitimate ground for reversal, but a difference of opinion on credibility of witnesses and evidence is not.
Id.
{¶ 45} Further, it is well settled that “ ‘[judgments supported by some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential elements of the case will not be reversed by a reviewing court as being against the manifest weight of the evidence.’ ” State v. Wilson,
{¶ 46} The essential elements of the liability portion of this case required appellants to demonstrate that appellee breached a duty owed to Angela. In its judgment, the trial court found that primary assumption of the risk barred appellants’ claims.
{¶ 47} Based upon our resolution of appellants’ first and second assignments of error, the trial court did not err in reaching this finding. Indeed, there was competent, credible evidence demonstrating that Angela’s injury was an inherent risk of cheerleading. Additionally, there was competent, credible evidence demonstrating that Buchman did not act recklessly or intentionally.
{¶ 48} As a result, we find that primary assumption of the risk negates appellants’ negligence and derivative loss-of-consortium claims. The trial court’s judgment was therefore not against the manifest weight of the evidence. Accordingly, we overrule appellant’s third assignment of error.
{¶ 49} Having overruled appellants’ first, second, and third assignments of error, we affirm the judgment of the Ohio Court of Claims.
Judgment affirmed.
Notes
. The trial court never reached a factual finding regarding this specific issue.
. Dr. George defined “an acrosport” as a sport involving motion, rotation, and height.
. Again, we note that the trial court never reached a factual determination on Cobbin's refuted testimony.