The members of Dance Team returned from the National Dance Association Elite Camp, held at Iowa State on Saturday weighing a little more than they did last Wednesday.  Why, you might ask?  Well, it was due to the numerous team and individual awards the team danced their way to and brought back home.  More than 120 girls from nine schools attended this years camp and it wasn't exactly air-conditioned in that gym either.  The team received a superior rating trophy for technique for their home pom routine;  first place trophy for the team performance for the camp routine taught and performed at camp; first place in the team leader dance; a technique certificate; spirit stick and a bid to the National Competition held in Orlando, Florida in March 2007.  Rumor has it Coach Guinan also did a little dancing herself, although I think the evidence has been buried.

Several team members also received invidual awards.  Team members nominated for All-American were Natalie Andrews, Nicole Schwartz, Mary Weidman, Molly Rooker, Audrey Weidman, Katie Gililand and Leslie Recher.  Nominees must perform the team routine as well as a short individual routine they make up themselves before the crowd and the NDA judges.  All-Americans are chosen based on dance performance, leadership ability and spirit.  The All-American award went to  Nicole Schwartz, Natalie Andrews, Mary Weidman and Audrey Weidman.  Congratulations Ladies!  Other individual awards or finalists were as follows:

Top Gun/Hip Hop:  Katie Gililand, Audrey Weidman and Natalie Andrews

Top Gun/Leaps and Turns:  Nicole Schwartz and Natalie Andrews

Top Gun/Kicks:  Mary Weidman, Natalie Andrews and Nicole Schwartz

Special event invite to perform at football bowl game:  Lauren Kennebeck, Amanda Biller and Liz Hoebelheinrich

We should be so proud of these young ladies and their performance at this elite camp.  Team members include seniors, Mary Weidman, Leslie Recher, Nicole Schwartz, Katie Gililand and Natalie Andrews.  Juniors, Amanda Burkey, Nicole Evezic, Jordyn Graham and Audrey Weidman.  Sophomores, Molly Rooker, Lauren Kennebeck, Amanda Biller, Liz Hoebelheinrich and Allison Palmer.  Freshman, Jessica Pearce, Allison Theulen, Elizabeth Culjat and Katie Coughlin.

The team will resume practices next week preparing for football season and state competition.  Check out the photo gallery for pictures of the team at Iowa State and stay tuned to stalbertsportsfan.com for all your dance team news.  Until next time, keep dancin!

Stacy