Montezuma Dance Teams earns top honors at ISDTA State Championships

        Montezuma dancers competed in Class 1  Pom and Hip Hop at the 49th Annual Iowa State Dance Team (ISDTA) State Championships, Dec. 4 – 6, in Des Moines. Pictured are, from left, front row: Ellen Cook, Kylee Larmore, Tayler Wickham, Taya Sincox, Elizabeth DeJong, Addyson Probasco, Emily Jo James, Hayley Burnett ; Middle row: Analeece Kercheval, Lauryn Larmore, Vivian Cook, Kamryn Schmidt, Lily Ferry, Marley Stowell, Kelsie Mostek, Hayden Sutherland; Back row: Sydney Nicholson, Olivia Latcham, Krista Cheney, Lindsey Henry, Claire Erselius, Abbi Henkle and Sophia Semprini. Not pictured: Letisia Wilson, Karsen Ahrens, Haileah Eichenberger, Ryanne Williams and Kami Mathes.

​By J.O. Parker
 
        The Montezuma Dance program earned top honors in Division 1 at the 49th Annual Iowa State Dance Team (ISDTA) State Championships.
      Montezuma competed in the Class II Pom routine and Class 1 Hip Hop routine. The team placed sixth in the Pom category and finished third in the Hip Hop category.
The Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association’s Iowa High School and College State Dance Team Championship was held Dec. 4 - 6 at the Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. Montezuma competed on Thursday, Dec. 5.
       “This year was our biggest team yet with 28 dancers on the team,” said dance coach Macy Taylor Richards. “We had an awesome year, but also a learning year as well. Coaching that many dancers in one setting was challenging, but ultimately I think we had an amazing season. I couldn't ask for a better group of kids to be surrounded with that work hard and share that same passion of dance that I do.”
       Teams are divided into classes based on school enrollment. They are evaluated and judged by industry professionals from all corners of the United States.