WAVERLY-For the second consecutive year, Central College took the overall dance title at the American Rivers Cheer and Dance Championships. Central swept the pom, jazz and hip-hop divisions in rolling to the crown. The champion is determined by averaging scores from the pom and jazz routines. Central finished with 83.07 points in the overall standings with Nebraska Wesleyan University second at 78.01 and Simpson College and Wartburg College tied for third at 74.05. Six conference schools competed. Central also had three performers receive all-conference honors. Central outdistanced second-place Buena Vista University in the pom division, 81.23-76.57. In the jazz division, Central topped Nebraska Wesleyan 84.90-81.03 and in hip-hop, Central edged Nebraska Wesleyan 81.93-81.47. In the cheer competition, Central finished second in game day routine with 50.93 points, trailing first-place Nebraska Wesleyan’s 51.00. It was the only category the team entered.
Jessie Pospisil (sophomore, Cedar Rapids) was the top individual scorer in the dance competition at 21.92 and Kami Sickels (senior, Des Moines) was third at 20.08. Both received first-team all-conference distinction. Freshman Chayse Gilchrist (freshman, Fairfield) finished with 18.92 points and received
second-team honors. “The dancers gave it their all out on the floor today,” coach Lex Gbogbo said. “Their clean, sharp motions and team synchronization shined in their scores team. I’m very proud of both the dance and cheer teams.”
Dance team members include: Bri Clark (freshman, Romeoville, Ill.) Alysha Coyle (senior, Ankeny),Jordan Crooks (freshman, Mount Pleasant), Gilchrist, Lanee Hall (freshman, Van Meter), Tessa Huff (senior, Ames), Katie McConnell (freshman, Erie, Ill.), Pospisil and Sickels.
Cheer team members include: Sydney Buseman (sophomore, Hampton), Clark, Madison Craig
(sophomore, Solon), Lillie McKee (senior, Mingo), Kassidy Otto (freshman, Center Point), Samantha Pagel (freshman, Madrid), Averi Shride (sophomore, Burlington), Abbie Stelk (freshman, Bettendorf) and Maggie Williams (sophomore, Newton).
Central will compete in the NDA/NCA (National Dance Alliance/National Cheerleaders Association)College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida April 10-13.
