By: Emilie Jenson 

Public Information Coordinator 

The Iowa Central Dance Team continued to impress on the national stage last week as they competed at the National Dance Association (NDA) Nationals in Daytona, Florida April 10-13.

The Triton Dancers took three routines to nationals this year, competing in the Junior College Hip Hop, Junior College Pom and Open Spirit Rally divisions.

"To take three routines to the biggest dance competition in the country is no easy feat," said Iowa Central Dance Team Head Coach Cassidy Vermeer. "And to go out and compete at the level that they did is a huge accomplishment."

"This was one of the best nationals I have experienced from my three years on the team," said Team Captain Mia Mortensen. "The skills and difficulty we were able to add into the routines is a direct representation of how incredible the level of technique and talent is on the ICDT."

Iowa Central placed fourth in the Hip Hop Division in a field of nine teams. Only the top-five teams advanced to the finals.

"Junior College Hip Hop is a super competitive group," said Stephanie Sibenaller, assistant coach of the Iowa Central Dance Team. "We beat out some of the top competitors to advance to the finals which is always an amazing feeling."

The Spirit Rally team competed in the Open division with Division II University of Texas- Dallas and NAIA Central Methodist University, finishing in second place overall.

Spirit Rally consists of a game day style routine featuring chants, fight songs, signs, time out dances and mascots.

"Open is mostly a four-year school division," said Sibenaller. "Going up against bigger schools, we are so proud of our girls and their effort, they performed well and nailed some great skills, it was super fun for all of them."

Sibenaller said the Spirit Rally Division is an excellent way to highlight the gameday experience that Iowa Central has to offer.

"We were the only junior college in the division," she said. "Iowa Central has one of the best gameday atmospheres of all junior colleges and it was really special for our dancers to be able to take that and showcase it at nationals."

Iowa Central's state championship Pom team took the routine to nationals, finishing as runners-up in the Junior College Pom Division.

"Our pom routine is jam-packed with a lot of skills," said Sibenaller. "It's the same routine we performed at state, but we took it and made it more difficult with a new turn sequence and end sequence. The fact that these dancers can execute skills at such a high level says a lot about them. Pom was a tough division, and we are very happy with how we ended up."

Nationals was the highlight of more than six months of practice and preparation.

"We learned competition routines in September," said Sibenaller. "They've known the routine for a long time; worked super hard to perfect them. You face obstacles that you have to work around, but nothing could shake this team. They were so focused and prepared that nothing stood in their way. They were a fun group to coach, and we are excited for their future."

"This team truly embodied the saying 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'," said Captain Kara Perry. "We have faced a great amount of adversity, and each time we have come out stronger. I am so proud of the coaches and girls for coming together and persevering through each and every obstacle we have faced."

Captain Kayla Welter also said the team overcame any challenges they faced and put their best foot forward going into Nationals.

"Throughout our season, our team has faced adversity in several areas, but with our willingness to embrace the process, work hard, and commit to our individual roles within the team came great success," said Welter. "Going into nationals our team shared one common goal: to put our very best performances on the floor; we were able to achieve that and more. Our team has a chemistry and culture that is unmatchable, and we made so many memories that we will all hold onto forever."

"I could not be prouder of their hard work and passion this year," said Vermeer. "They took that with them, and it truly showed in Daytona."