March 19, 2024

Pacesetters claim first place trophy at state

First top award for NHS dance team in 15 years

There will be a title for the Newton High School Pacesetters to defend next year at the Iowa State Dance Team Championships.

That’s because the Pacesetters took home a first place trophy in last week’s state championships, held Thursday and Friday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The NHS dance team won the trophy for Class III “kick” — its first top honor in that category since 2000, and its first top-spot trophy in any category since winning a title in “pom” in 2001.

“It has been a long time and it feels great,” said Pacesetter coach Paige Meredith. “We have placed in the top five every year, but have not won (first place) for a long time. Winning at state competition is extremely difficult.”

In addition to placing first in kick at the competition, which is labeled as the 2017 state championships, the Pacesetters also placed fourth in Class V jazz and fifth in Class XII pom and claimed a Sportsmanship Award and a Distinguished Academic Award for its team GPA of 3.58.

“Our classes consist of 10 to 12 very talented teams from around the state of Iowa similar in size to Newton,” Meredith said. “Each year, as a team, we strive to be better. Saying I am proud of them is an understatement.”

Meredith said much of the team’s hard work and determination is evident during the many afternoons and early evenings when the team painstakingly honed each step and nuance of its routine. Last month, six Pacesetters earned honors at the 2017 state solo competition.

“Each practice, we took time to break down the routine; to focus on the small sections at a time and focus on improving,” she said. “The girls worked extremely hard during practices and dedicated time outside as well. With all of their hard work, we were able to execute a nearly perfect kick routine at state competition on Friday.

Last year, the Pacesetters were fourth in Class III kick behind champion Southeast Polk, runner-up Ankeny Centennial and third-place finisher Davenport West. Newton also took third in Class XII pom and fourth in Class V jazz.

Meredith said the first-place effort is a testament not only to the hard work of this year’s team, but is also both the result of, and a tribute to, the sweat and tears of hundreds of Pacesetter alumni through the years.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” Meredith said. “I am so glad we are finally able to bring it home for our school, our community and our Pacesetter alumni.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com