At home on top

In the middle of the week early in the morning, after months of practice in pandemic conditions, the PCM Dance Team heard their names called to “take the floor” for the 2021 Iowa State Dance Team Association Competition. About three hours later, the girls had danced their hearts out in Pom, Hip Hop and Novelty but unlike every other year, would have to wait more than two weeks to find out their results.

Well, it was worth the wait. The dance team came away with the top trophy in Pom placing first with a Division 1 rating. Hip Hop and Novelty weren’t far behind with both routines finishing in second place and also receiving Division 1 ratings.

“Congratulations Girls! State Champs two years in a row,”the team’s Facebook page said after the results were presented.

State competition took on a new look, expanding to three days and condensing the time teams would have in the building. Masks were worn the entire time except when dancing and teams were discouraged from sticking around and watching and were asked to perform and leave.

The routines performed that day were recorded and later judged virtually, along with submitted dances from schools who could not attend the competition in person. Awards were presented Dec. 5 on a broadcast from ISDTA. Following the virtual ceremony, ISDTA leadership traveled the state presenting trophies to teams the next week.

“State was so different this year, so I tried to make the most of it while we were at the Well,” senior Bess Telfer said.. “Typically, we wait on the floor around ten o’clock at night waiting for awards (the same day we dance) this year we rented out a movie theater and spent the time together as a team, which was so fun.

“When they called second place for both Novelty and Hip Hop, I was happy for placing, but I did want to win. Then, finally when they announced PCM won Pom we all jumped up and down and screamed and cried because we were so happy. All of our hard work had finally paid off and we brought home a title in Pom again.”

Also competing at State Nov. 18 were six soloist including Delaney Baird, Avery Houser, Savanna Disney, Lily Ladehoff, Isabelle Lorton and Telfer. All of the dancers received Division 1 ratings and Telfer placed fifth with her musical theater solo.

“I was so nervous when they started solos awards. All I was hoping for was a Division 1 rating, after all it was my senior year and I basically did it just to have fun and see what would happen,” Telfer said. “When they called my name for 10th place I couldn’t believe it. I stared at the screen while tears began to fill my eyes, I was so surprise. I ran up to my mom and dad and hugged them so tight. Then my coaches hugged me and told me how proud they were, and that I did it ‘all on my own’ because I had choreographed the solo by myself.”

The team was also recognized for the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award reaching a 3.5-4.0 grade point average.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com