Statesmen Post High Scores, Earn Division I Ratings at State Dance Competition
The William Penn competitive dance team got on the competition floor for the first time Thursday as it performed twice at the Iowa State Dance Competition.
The squad received a score of 90.38 points in Jazz and a score of 84.63 points in Pom. The Jazz score is a significant improvement from a year ago, while the Pom performance was the program’s first in that category in five years.
WPU earned Division I ratings for both scores.
Team members included Jili Butler (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Psychology), Taegin Butler (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Psychology), Kyah Chamberlin (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education), Kate Coley (Fr., Streator, Ill., Psychology), Kylie Coley (Fr., Streator, Ill., Undecided), Bianca Cooney (So., Little Rock, Ark., Psychology), Grace Evans (So., West Liberty, Iowa, Psychology), Emily Garcia (Fr., Davenport, Iowa, Sports Management), Gabby Griffin (Fr., Woodward, Iowa, Exercise Science), Brookelyn Hemsley (Fr., Sigourney, Iowa, Nursing), Abby Nelson (Sr., Belmond, Iowa, Sports Management), Natalie Redlinger (Jr., Sigourney, Iowa, Business Management), and A’niyah Thomas (Sr., Inner Grove Heights, Minn., Human Services).
“This year’s state competition was a huge accomplishment for us,” Head Coach Abby Reynolds said. “Our scores were exceptional, including scoring 10 points more than last year in Jazz and competing for the first time in over five years in Pom. Our Pom score puts us in a good spot for us to improve on for next year. Both scores will set us up nicely for what is to come for our NAIA season; it was a good benchmark for what we are capable of.”
“We received lots of texts and comments about our performances,” Reynolds added. “The support was overwhelming. We loved being able to show off our hard work in front of everyone. I am a very proud coach today, but there is a lot more to come.”
