Dance Attack takes home several awards

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Dance Attack last week added to its growing trophy chest.

The team won fourth place finishes in Class 1 Hoopla and Class 1 Novelty, and also third place in the Lights category at the 48th annual Iowa High School and College State Dance Team Championships in Des Moines. Coach Brittany Dolphin was ecstatic about the Hawks' performances.

"They did some of the best routines they've ever done," she said. "I'm a very proud coach. They worked extremely hard."

More than 650 routines were performed at the event, which was held in Wells Fargo Arena, Hy-Vee Hall and the Community Choice Convention Center. H-M-S Dance Attack was placed at Hy-Vee Hall.

"There isn't as much energy in Hy-Vee Hall compared to Wells Fargo Arena, but the girls still did their best and everything went as it should have," Dolphin said.

H-M-S was one of seven teams competing in Class I Hoopla, earning an average score of 88.25 out of 100. First place team Manson-Northwest Webster tallied a 90.38.

In Class I Novelty, H-M-S was one of 11 teams and earned a score of 84.63 out of 100. First place North Union tallied an 89.13.

Dolphin was most proud of the Hawks' third place finish in Lights, where they competed against larger schools and finished with a score of 85.13. First place East Sac County finished with a 91.

"Lights was extremely exciting this year. Instead of being divided into classes, there was just one," Dolphin explained. "We knew our competition was going to be tougher than years before. To still get third in that category was huge and just shows how hard the girls worked."

In addition to their performance trophies, H-M-S Dance Attack received a Distinguished Academic Award (3.50-4.0 GPA) and the Lois Turnage Outstanding Community Service Award.

Dolphin appreciated the support of parents who helped at the state event, as well as her husband, Matt, and groundeD owner Deidre Welch for their help with prop design for the Novelty performance.

"We couldn't have done it without all of them," Dolphin said.

The dance team will perform its lights routine during a basketball game and will also head back to Des Moines in late January for a performance on the ice during an Iowa Wild hockey game. Its annual showcase will be Feb. 24.

Seniors on the 16-member team include Meghan Larson (captain), Kinsey Schirmer, Emma Vollink, Heather Elgersma and Delaney Murphy.

"I'm so proud of this team and our seniors," said Dolphin. "Their hard work paid off last week and the seniors really led the team the whole weekend."