BGM Bears Dance Team earns top 10 placings at ISDTA

​       BGM dancers competed in Class I Novelty, Class 11 Hip Hop and Class II Pom at the 49th Annual Iowa State Dance Team Association’s (ISDTA) Championships, Dec. 4 – Dec. 6 in Des Moines. Members of the BGM Dance Team include, from left, front row: Coach Courtney Neighbors, Abby Slater, Abby Pierson, Karagyn Minnaert; Middle row: Taelyn Garringer, Madelynn Doty, Connie Schott, Kylie Arment, Aiden Corona; and the back row: Shaelynn Keller, Maddy Conrad, Amelia Davis, Mira Beaderstadt, Adelyn McDonald and Amiah Lint. Submitted photo.

By ​J.O. Parker
 
       The BGM Bears Dance Team recently participated in the 49th Annual Iowa State Dance Team Association’s (ISDTA) Championships, bringing home three top 10 honors and a host of individual honors.
      The team earned a Division 1 rating and 8th place finish in the Class 1 Novelty Routine; 9th place in the Class II Hip Hop; and 7th place in the Class II Pom competition.
In addition, BGM had 8 soloists who performed as state qualifiers in October. Class II Soloists receiving Division II placements were Abby Pierson, Abby Slater, Karagyn Minnaert, Madelynn Doty, Shaelynn Keller, Amiah Lint and Mira Beaderstadt. Class II Soloist receiving a Division I rating was Kylie Arment.
        The dance team includes Karagyn Minnaert, Abby Pierson, Abby Slater, Kylie Arment, Aiden Corona, Madelynn Doty, Taelyn Garringer, Connie Schott, Amiah Lint, Shaelynn Keller, Mira Beaderstadt, Adelyn McDonald, Maddy Conrad and Amelia Davis. The BGM Bears Dance Team Coach is Courtney Neighbors with assistance from her sister, Kylee Neighbors, and former Coach, Steph Puls.
          The ISDTA High School and College State Dance Team Championship was held Dec. 4 – Dec. 6  at the Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. Teams are divided into classes based on school enrollment. They are evaluated and judged by industry professionals from all corners of the United States.

​       BGM had eight soloists who performed as state qualifiers in October, with seven dancers, bringing home Division 11 placements and one dancer bringing home a Division 1 rating. Pictured from left, are: Amiah Lint, Madelynn Doty, Abby Slater, Abby Pierson, Shaelynn Keller, Karagyn Minnaert, Kylie Arment and Mira Beaderstadt.