The NDSU Dance Team placed highly at the UCA/UDA National Championship competition in Orlando, Florida.
The NDSU Dance Team had an outstanding showing at the University Cheerleaders Association/Universal Dance Association National Championship held Jan. 13-15 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The team competed in the finals of three categories, finishing third in the Division I Dance Game Day, sixth in Division I Pom and 10th in Division I Jazz.
“As a team, we really came together this year and decided that this was going to be the year that we take the Bison Dance Team to a new level, which is what we did. This team has paved the way for future teams and has set high expectations for the culture of our team. I feel so much pride to say that I am member of the Bison Dance Team and to be able to represent NDSU in such a positive way,” said team president Danielle Bigalke, a sophomore majoring in human development and family science from West Fargo.
“We went in with no fear and a drive to show everyone in our division who the NDSU Bison Dance Team is. Division 1 is an incredibly competitive category in which we competed in Game Day, Jazz and Pom. After months of commitment, hard work and preparation, we arrived back in Fargo with not one, but three trophies,” said Madison Wood, one of the team’s captains.
“The culture on this team prepares its dancers to take on any challenge and achieve their goals, both on and off the stage,” said Wood, who is a senior majoring in marketing and strategic communication from Devils Lake, North Dakota. “It has been an honor to represent my school as a member of the Bison Dance Team and I truly could not have asked for a better senior season.”
Team members include Bigalke, Wood, Britta Thompson (captain), Ella Thorson (captain), Kyra Wright, Elyse Althaus, Allison Thompson, Annie Waale, Ayla Green, Chloe Wolk, Dani Broden, Elsa Bainey, Emily Ehlert, Kaylin Trosen, Kennedy Sandvik, Makayla Parkin, Mason Weidman, Mattie Jacobson, Makenna Fraase, Mya Henderson, Sophia Roll and Sydney Marotz.
The team is coached by Jordan Epping, Alyssa Looysen and Sarae Kellen. The team advisor is Rachel Feenstra, sports graduate assistant.
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