SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Dance team now has a starting point with which to build upon as it moves forward this winter. The Bulldogs got the competition season going on Wednesday (Jan. 19) by hosting GPAC rival Morningside in a dual that was contested at halftime of the women’s basketball game inside Friedrich Arena. The Mustangs emerged with the upper hand via a score of 74.85 compared to a score of 63.85 for Concordia.
This marks the sixth season that the Bulldog Cheer and Dance teams have been led by Mandi Maser. The two programs are looking for the type of improvement they displayed last winter. The dance squad returns a large number of experienced veterans, including one of the team’s most prominent leaders in Haleigh Fitzsimmons.
“Tonight we got the jitters out,” Maser said. “First competition of the season is out of the way and now we keep the momentum going to build on the routines we performed. The dance team performed with great energy and confidence. We had a couple deductions for errors that we can correct, but overall, I was proud of their performance, and I know they will keep getting better. They want to win, and I think the fans could see that tonight. We are looking forward increases scores next week and continuing to build on a great start to the season.”
The Concordia competition team on Wednesday included the following student-athletes:
· Katherine Anderson (Columbus, Neb.)
· Aubrey Baumann (Chester, S.D.)
· Haleigh Fitzsimmons (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Kenna Holtzen (Stromsburg, Neb.)
· Madison Koch (Doniphan, Neb.)
· Avery Lewis (Seward, Neb.)
· Lizbeth Vargas-Tapia (Omaha, Neb.)
· Maddie Wittstruck (Milford, Neb.)
The season will continue next Wednesday (Jan. 26) when the Bulldogs will once again appear inside Friedrich Arena at halftime of women’s basketball (approximately 6:30 p.m. CT). Concordia will host Hastings and Peru State College as part of a triangular. The Bulldogs are slated to be in action three-straight days from Jan. 26-28.