Dance Team competing in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Dance Team delivered a national title with a pom pom performance Jan. 17 at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Florida.
The three-day competition, managed by the Universal Dance Association and Universal Cheerleaders Association, is billed as the nation’s most prestigious dance team championship.
The 16-member team, co-coached by Morgan Hanenberger and Megen Rosvold ’13, won the open pom title, beating schools such as Minnesota State University Mankato, The College of New Jersey, Sonoma State University and University of Central Oklahoma.
The winning routine — performed at the Saturday semifinals and Sunday finals to a mashup of Latin and Salsa tunes — was designed by Minneapolis choreographer Dani Eustice.
St. Cloud State had earned four top-five finishes in recent trips to nationals. This year’s title came down to focus, according to Rosvold, who is an administrative assistant in the volunteer department at CentraCare Health, St. Cloud.
“The girls this year had the drive and determination to get the job done,” Rosvold said.
Dancers stayed “in their bubbles” and did not look at the competition, she said.
In the open jazz category, St. Cloud State finished sixth, the best result in school history, according to Rosvold.
Dance Team started its season in June. Preparation for the national championship involved about 80 hours of rehearsal during semester break.
Dance Team, which is part of the Department of Campus Involvement, is advised by David McCandless, assistant director for campus programs and spirit groups, and Hallie Rathbun, graduate assistant for campus programs and spirit groups.
Team members are:
Brittany Whittaker, captain, Monticello
Kelly Gillet, captain, Inver Grove Heights
Cassie Reimann, Elk River
Jenna Gregor, Prior Lake
Andrea Sampson, Mahtomedi
Maddie Gregor, Prior Lake
Samantha Sawyers, Stoughton, Wisconsin
Sara Robbins, Becker
Hanna Venteicher, Prior Lake
Taylor McIntyre, Prior Lake
Korissa Glynn, Hannibal, Missouri
Emily Cunningham, Lindstrom
Caitlin Gillet, Inver Grove Heights
Jenna LeMair, Prior Lake
McKenzie Anderson, Olivia
Katie Lord, Apple Valley
