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Wed, Mar 3, 2010
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Spirit Squads
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By Ashley Nicolich
Student Writer
The Bethany College cheer and dance team heads to the Kansas City Mid America National Championship competition at the KC Convention Center March 27th through the 28th.
It is the first time in three years that either of the teams will participate in competition. With the hard practice and effort put forward, both teams have a chance of winning their division.
Each team practices three to five times a week for two hours to prepare for this competition. Last year the cheer team only had two guys on the squad, but this year there are nine of them. "We have more advanced stunts than ever before," stated Coach Taylor Eicholz.
More advanced routines and stunts are possible with the addition of guys on the cheer team because they help provide much more stability. Two of the cheerleaders have suffered from injuries: Sabrina Scroggin and Nikki Gamberg, which has slowed the team down a little bit.
"I think that with the routine that we have, we can definitely win the competition this year," said Coach Eicholz. Delicia Mandrey, a senior on the cheer squad, says that "We have been to many competitions in the past and we weren't prepared, but this time we are prepared and ready to compete and ready to win!"The cheer squad has "much more to offer" says Mandrey including more advanced stunts, tumbling, and more members on the squad.
The dance team is registered in the collegiate hip hop division. "I think we have a really good chance of winning," says Coach Eicholz. Alyssa Cox; a freshman on the dance team, has never been to a competition before, "I'm not really sure what to expect, but the team has worked really hard and we should do well."
It is also the first time in competition for much of the cheer and dance team, there are only a three girls who have had experience in the collegiate competition level. If they win they will receive National Championship jackets and rings. Anyone can watch the competition in Kansas City at the Convention Center, so go and support the Swedes Cheer and Dance team on March 27th and 28th.
