It isn’t very often that a team at Oglethorpe receives a bid to compete in a national competition; however, the OU DANCERS were issued a bid to compete in the USA Collegiate National Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada February 9th-12th. This is the most prestigious competition a college dance team can go to- the highest honor one could receive. They gladly accepted, started heavy fundraising efforts, and practiced vigorously. The team, accompanied by advisor Dr. Charlie Baube, traveled to compete in Division I against teams such as the University of Southern California, the University of Arizona, the University of Kentucky, UCLA, and Cal State Sacramento (the equivalent of our basketball program competing against that of the University of Tennessee or Duke). The OU DANCERS were awarded 11th in the nation at this important national competition.
But First, here are the results of 2001-2002 end-of-season team voting:
For 2001- 2002:
Most improved- Joy Simmons
Most spirited- Mu-Hung Fang
Most valuable dancer- Lauren Montagno
For 2002- 2003:
New director for the 2002-2003 season: Maya Hutcheson
Congratulations to all the of these award winners!
A travelogue in pictures of the trip to Nationals:
The team before departure to the Cashman Center to compete.
The 2001- 2002 OU Dancers (left-to-right): Joy Simmons, Charity Pirkle, Leticia Jeter, Theresa Lindo, Lauren Montagno (director and chorographer), Mu-Hung Fang, Maya Hutcheson, and Laurie Berger.
The team posed on the Cashman Center stage they competed on.
The team gathers for dinner at Mr. Lucky's (in the HardRock Hotel) their last night in Vegas to celebrate their accomplishments. (That's Dr. Baube (advisor) in the back row.)
Our 2001- 2002 performances:
Midnight Madness: 10/19
Alumni Event: 10/25
NEW FOR 2001: Boar's Head Ceremony 12/7
Competition: 2/10-11
Oglethorpe Day: 2/13
Basketball Games: 11/28,12/3,2/3,2/15,2/23
