Title times three: Panthers win three classes at ISDTA state championships

Published by admin on Wed, 12/06/2017 - 9:58am

Posing with their trophies after winning three classes at the ISDTA State Meet are members of the Panther dance team, first row from left: Shelbie Reyhons, Melissa Davis, Paige Folken and Kate Tuetken. Second row: Madisan Birt, Anisa Krouse and Emma Brighton. Third row: Ally Bartachek, Kaitlin Guyer, Sydney Freeze, Skyleigh Husmann and coach Amanda Hackney. (Photos submitted)

Among those celebrating at State are (from left) Sydney Freeze, Ally Bartachek, Kaitlin Guyer and Skyleigh Husmann.

Moments after learning they had won three state titles, the Panther dancers celebrate.
DANCE
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     Three-for-three.

     The Monticello High School dance team competed in three events at the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association (ISDTA) State Competition.

     And won their class in all three. The Panthers took first in Class 1 Contemporary, first in Class 3 Jazz, and first in Class 8 Pom at the event, which was held Thursday, Nov. 30 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

     These are believed to be the first state titles ever won by an MHS dance team.

     “Winning three titles at State is unbelievable,” Monticello coach Amanda Hackney said. “It made school history, but seeing the joy in the girls’ faces is truly the best part and most rewarding as a coach.”

     In Contemporary, the Panthers scored 65.5 points. West Central Valley was second with 60.75, and Woodbury Central placed third.

     In Monticello’s Jazz class, the Panthers edged Kuemper Catholic of Carroll, 68.5 to 67. Monticello had finished second to Kuemper in each of the past three seasons. OA-BCIG was third with 65.6.

     Monticello won its Pom class by another narrow margin, 67.8 to 67 over PCM of Monroe. Hampton-Dumont was third with 64.3.

     In addition, every senior dancer in the state has the opportunity to apply for the ISDTA Character Counts Scholarship. Monticello’s Kate Tuetken was chosen as a finalist, and received a $1,000 scholarship.

     “Kate is one of the hardest-working kids I know,” Hackney said. “Her self-discipline at school, work and dance truly inspires others.”

     Hackney said she was especially happy for the seniors – Paige Folken, Melissa Davis, Shelbie Reyhons and Tuetken – whom she has coached since they were freshmen.

     The team will now prepare for the high school nationals, to be held in Florida in February.

     “They worked hard since July preparing for State, and the truth is, hard work does pay off,” Hackney said. “I’m so very proud of this group of dancers.”

 

 

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