Dance Earns Three Division I Ratings at State Championships

William Penn University Athletics

Des Moines–The William Penn dance team opened up its 2016-2017 competitive season strong last Friday with a trio of high honors at the Iowa State Dance Team Association Championships.

The program performed a trio of routines in the NAIA division at Wells Fargo Arena and received Division I ratings in all three.

The first dance was in Hip Hop where WPU averaged 64.25 points (out of 70) and just missed out on the top four in the standings. William Penn then competed in Pom and owned a 62.75 score to finish fourth overall.

Finally, the Statesmen tallied a 62.375 score in Jazz, but a deduction once again kept them on the outside looking in on the top four.

“We went into this competition with a goal to get on the map in all three of our routines,” Coach Lainee (Yarkosky) Uitermarkt said. “We knew we had the talent to do it, but it always boils down to whether or not that one performance will be as perfect as we have practiced. We are very, very happy with our results.”

“The NAIA is an ever-progressing division at this state competition, so to stay up there with colleges like St. Ambrose, Grand View, and Morningside is an absolute joy!” Uitermarkt said. “We are now ready to push harder as we enter our NAIA competition season.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Des Moines on Sunday, January 29 to face Grand View in a dual meet.