The dance team is back in town after competing at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Championships in Orlando, FL. The team made it past the preliminary rounds for both pom and jazz, and advanced to the semifinals in pom.

“We were .3 points short of advancing to the semi-finals in jazz,” senior dance team captain Karli Killian said. “Ankeny was the team that beat us out.  We were bummed to be knocked out, but happy they were representing Iowa.”

Though the team knew they would not be performing in the semi-finals in jazz, they were still eager for their next pom performance.

“Since they announced the advancements in order of performance, we knew if we didn’t get announced first that we wouldn’t move on,” Killian said. “But when we heard our name called first, we were so excited to compete at the semi-finals in pom.”

The road to the national championship is much different for the dance team than it is for other sports.

“The Universal Dance Association hosts a camp and a national championship,” junior dance team member Jessica Battani said. “During the summer you go to the camp and [each team] brings a dance and that’s where you qualify for nationals.”

After qualifying for nationals at the UDA dance camp last July, the team practiced eight hours each week leading up to the trip to Florida. “We spent so much time practicing just for two two-minute long performances,” senior dance team member Alex Reiher said. “You really have to make it worth it.”