2008 Woodie Awards
Dancers to perform National Dance routine
Joe Williams
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Sports
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"People see us perform a lot at halftime of games, it's a lot different than what we do in competition," said Hilary Hofmaier, Head Coach of the Bengal Dancers.
In addition to the Bengal Dancers, the show features performances by the ISU cheerleaders and local dance studios. The show begins at 7 p.m. and admission is $3 per person. Proceeds from the show help send the dancers to the national championship in Daytona Beach, Florida in April.
"It's the one thing that supports us," co-captain, Erin Tiede said. "A lot of families can't afford to go to our competitions, so it gives them a chance to see us perform."
Over the course of the year the Bengal Dancers learn around 30 different routines. It takes the squad about an hour to learn a routine and they practice three times a week to perfect it. They put in around 20 hours every week.
"It's like having a part time job," Hofmaier said.
"But the emotional rewards are priceless," added co-captain, Lindsay Tucker.
The Bengal Dancers have been ISU's most successful squad over the last few years. They have finished in the top ten each of the past five years and in the top five in three of the last four years. At last years competition the Bengals came within .05 of the national championship, finishing third.
The Bengals credit their coach for their recent success.
"She has experience with competitions," Tiede said. "She knows the ropes."
The Bengals are full of confidence heading into this years competition.
When asked about her expectations for the team this year, Tucker's answer was simply, "to win."
ISU comes in the national championships with a second place ranking on their Nationals qualification video. In an effort to better last year's third place finish the dancers stepped up the technical elements from past years and changed their style.
In a competition teams perform a routine that consists of 30 seconds of three elements; jazz, pom, and hip-hop. Each routine will be judged on appearance, choreography, showmanship, and overall appeal.
The Bengal Dancers head to Daytona Beach April 5 through April 10. They will compete April 7 and 8.
"The fun begins after the eighth," said Tiede. "That's our spring break."
"We get to sit on the beach and watch the cheerleaders so it's fun," added Tucker.
Hofmaier gave her prediction for the upcoming competition: "We will see you on the 11th with a big trophy and a picture on the front page."
Joe Williams is a junior majoring in journalism. He can be reached for comment at bgsports@isu.edu