At the competition, the dance team competed in the Division II & JuCo Open Variety Division while the cheer squad competed in the Collegiate Small Co-ed Division.

 

Since August, both squads have practiced four to five times per week plus performances at football and basketball games to prepare for the competition. Both teams learned new routines for the competition in addition to the routines they performed throughout the year.

Head cheer coach Ana Schlosser said their team hired choreographers from Texas Christian University to help the team prepare. “I have seen a huge amount of dedication, personal sacrifice and a team mentality amongst our team,” said Schlosser of her team’s preparation. She added that everyone worked together to give 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.

 

Head dance coach Tamara Howe said her team members really stepped up to the plate to learn and grow as dancers.“As a freshman team, we have really improved over the past year and I am proud of the work ethic and strides the girls have made to bring their team to a new level and to challenge themselves,” Howe said.

Both the cheer and dance teams will hold tryouts for the 2007-2008 squads on March 31. For more information contact coach Schlosser at 227-3380 ext. 8325 or coach Howe at 227-3380 ext. 8413.

Beginning in 2005, the Bethany College cheer and dance squads became college-sponsored athletic programs. The squads perform at home football and basketball games and participate in collegiate competitions. The dance team placed second at the Sunflower Classic in Concordia in 2005 and cheer squad placed second in 2006. Both teams earned superior ratings for their performances during the National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance collegiate camp at Kansas State University Aug. 8-11, 2006.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service.