Central College’s dance and cheer teams competed in three categories during the National Cheer Alliance/National Dance Alliance College Nationals Competition earning top three honors in the three categories. The competition took place April 9-13 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Central’s dance team competed in the Pom Division III category, taking second place overall with a score of 90.7429. In 2023, the dance team won the national championship in the Pom Division III category.
Lexi Gbogbo, dance/cheer head coach, explained that even though Central placed second in pom, it was the highest score the team has ever received in the Pom Division III category.
In the Jazz Division III category, Central placed third overall with a score of 87.5429. This is the first time in program history that the dance team placed in the top three in the Jazz Division III category.
The Central cheer team competed in the Spirit Rally Open division and placed eighth overall.
“The dance and cheer teams could not be prouder to represent the Central College Dutch!” Gbogbo says. “This season has been all about teamwork — working together, finding solutions together and bonding together. I cannot wait to bring on next season even stronger!
“These past couple of years we have put a stamp on our name at NCA/NDA College Nationals Competition. We will continue to do so in the future!” Gbogbo adds.
Members of the dance team are Alysha Coyle, Class of 2024, Ankeny, Iowa, sociology major; Tessa Huff, Class of 2024, Ames, Iowa, biology major; Kami Sickels, Class of 2024, Des Moines, Iowa, business management major; Jessie Pospisil, Class of 2025, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, business management major; Jordan Crooks, Class of 2027, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, elementary education major; Chayse Gilchrist, Class of 2027, Fairfield, Iowa, undeclared major; Kate McConnell, Class of 2027, Erie, Illinois, undeclared major; Rylie Preston, Class of 2027, Geneseo, Illinois, elementary education major; Lanee Hall, Class of 2027, Van Meter, Iowa, undeclared major; and Bri Clark, Class of 2027, Romeoville, Illinois, undeclared major.
Members of the cheer team are Lillie McKee, Class of 2025, Mingo, Iowa, psychology major; Sydney Buseman, Class of 2026, Hampton, Iowa, elementary education major; Madison Craig, Class of 2026, Solon, Iowa, biology major; Hayley Wallin, Class of 2026, Northwood, Iowa, kinesiology major; Averi Shride, Class of 2026, Burlington, Iowa, biology major; Maggie Williams, Class of 2026, Newton, Iowa, kinesiology and elementary education major; Bri Clark, Class of 2027, Romeoville, Illinois, undeclared major; Kassidy Otto, Class of 2027, Center Point, Iowa, undeclared major; Samantha Pagel, Class of 2027, Madrid, Iowa, music education – vocal major; and Abbie Stelk, Class of 2027, Bettendorf, Iowa, elementary education major.