Dance team placed fourth in high kick at the National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Fla. Feb 4 and 5. This is the team’s best showing yet at NDTC, according to junior co-captain Mary Evans. Dance Team went into this year having won the Missouri 3A State Championship the past seven years and ranked in the top 10 nationally for high kick the last five years.

“Realizing that all the stress, tension and hard work put in throughout the year had paid off brought down a whirlwind of emotion and relief,” Evans said.

At NDTC the competition isn’t defined by the type or size of school like in state competitions. Instead classifications are done by squad size, according to the National Dance Association. Sion competes in the Large Varsity Division, putting them up against schools far larger than Sion and schools specifically for the performing arts.

What made this year’s triumph even sweeter was the third place finish of the Florida based performing arts team Seminole. Sion finished points away from the team, who has controlled the Large Varsity Division first place spot for years.

“As a team we were so excited we couldn’t contain ourselves,” freshman Brie Bowes said.

The season began differently as well. The sole senior, Jessica Cloughley, was unable to dance for the first months of the season due to a neck injury.

Two juniors, Evans and Catherine Frerker are co-captains of the 20 member team. This year there are also 13 underclassmen. 

“Being captain is significantly different from being a member. Instead of your own strength and motivation to worry about, you are responsible for yourself and the rest of the team,” Evans said. “It is sometimes overwhelming to ensure that everyone is pumped up and driven to perform the best to their ability, but for times like Nationals, it makes it all worth it.”

For now the team is celebrating and looking forward to finishing its season on top at State Feb. 25, according to Evans.