Montezuma finishes 3rd in hip-hop at state

MONTEZUMA -- The Montezuma dance team finished third in Class I hip-hop and seventh in Class I pom during the 50th Annual State Dance/Drill Team Association’s Championships in December.

Montezuma earned Division I in both categories.

The dance team had two soloists -- freshmen Tinsley Stowell and Mackenzie Clayton -- compete in the state solo qualifier in October, but neither one of them qualified for the top 10.

Dance team members who compete in the state championships in Des Moines in December were Marley Stowell, Karsen Ahrens, Hayden Sutherland, Ella Pierce, Mallory Warden, Alanna Hutchinson, Kelsie Mostek, Tinsley Stowell, Sydney Nicholson, Ryanne Williams, Lauryn Larmore, Vivian Cook, Sophia Semprini, Gracie Wilson, Grace Burnett, Mackenzie Clayton, Haileah Eichenberger, Lindsey Henry, Lily Ferry, Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Kami Mathes, Olivia Latcham, Analeece Kercheval, Kamryn Schmidt and Lily Moyer.

“This was another great season,” said Dance Coach Macy Taylor Richards. “The girls had a challenging season and we had to dig deep to clean our routines, work hard in technique and execution skills, along with facials and energy. They did such a great job at the state competition and I’m so incredibly proud of them.”