The Emporia State Stingers Dance Team won the Dance Team Union Regional Competition Jan. 29 in Oklahoma City and received a rare, partially paid bid to the 2023 national competition.
“When they performed, their pom routine was at such a high level, at such a high caliber, that that was the one that won us the partially paid bid to next year’s nationals,” said William Woodworth, associate professor of music and director of athletic bands. “So that springboards us to next year, starting to plan now to head in April of 2023.”
In addition to receiving the bid to attend nationals, the competition was also a chance to recruit potential future Stingers.
“It gives us an opportunity to showcase to regional, high school, and college dance students that Emporia State is a place where they can continue to dance,” Woodworth said.
While there are currently six dancers on the team, only five were able to compete at regionals, because one of the dancers was sick with COVID-19 the week of the competition, according to head coach Jennifer Woodworth.
The day before the team left for Oklahoma and two days before the competition, they had to change all the formations to work with only five performers.
While nerves were high, the team was able to come together and pull off the win.
“They powered through it,” Jennifer said. “Especially with the adversity that they faced, losing a member just because of COVID, unfortunately. They roll with the punches, honestly.”
As soon as the dancers begin to perform, they “light up that stage,” according to Jennifer.
“You can see their personalities just shine, it’s awesome,” said Abigail Brown, graduate teaching assistant for the athletic band and graduate student of music education. “It’s what you want out of a performing group, is to see the personality and them just having fun out there.”
The Stingers are assisted by former Stinger Cassie Diebold and choreographer Maddy Bolen.