Southeast Sundancers to compete in national competition in January

Danielle Alspaugh believes the Southeast Missouri State Sundancers are one of the top dance teams in the country. On Jan. 14 and 15, the Sundancers plan to prove Alspaugh right at the 2006 UDA College Dance Team National Championship.

The Sundancers, ranked Eighth among Division 1 schools based on preliminary results, will compete against the likes of Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University, James Madison, Fordham and St. Johns University.

Alspaugh, coach of the Sundancers, is hesitant to place too much emphasis on the results of the competition, though.

"I would love to come back with a top ten finish, but I will be pleased with our placing as long as we have performed at our best," Alspaugh says.

Co-captain Erin Bauer desires more, though. "I would love for us to place in the top five, but even top 10 is a huge accomplishment," she says.

And team member Cassie Mora has eyes for the top. "First in nationals, baby! OH YEAH!"

A competitive and prepared team

Each April, tryouts for the team are held. Each spot on the team is open; no current team member is guaranteed a spot on next year's team.

"In order to recruit the best dancers, competition is a necessity," Alspaugh says. "Competition makes people better at what they do; it gives us a goal to work toward. These women come from backgrounds where their high school dance teams or studios competed at the state or national level and it is natural to want to compete at the collegiate level."

Alspaugh says she looks for dancers who are highly technical but are able to dance a wide variety of styles, from pom to hip-hop. Most dancers have some background in studio dance.

Because the team performs and cheers at all home basketball and football games, as well as other athletic and community events, practice time is a must. Typically, the team practices for two hours per day, five times a week. Each member must also work-out three times a week for a total practice commitment of 13 hours.

And the team does fundraising on their own time. Though the team receives a base budget from the athletic department, fundraising is essential to allow the team to compete in competitions. Among the fundraising efforts are kids dance and cheer clinics, poster sales, and waitressing for Chartwells.

Team to debut nationals routine at Dec. 10 basketball game

The Sundancers plan to wow the home crowd during an unveiling of the routine during a half-time performance of the men's game Dec.10.

Each Sundancer has a favorite part of the routine for various reasons. Co-captain Leah Wellen's favorite part is the opening sequence.

"It has a big effect on the audience," she says. "It's when we grab everyone's attention, we charge the crowd."

Team member Aimee Knebel has a different fave. "Our hip-hop sequence is off the hook!"

Adds Nikki Eggleston, "The end. There isn't a better feeling than when you are done with a routine that you have just successfully executed."