McCain takes home state dance gold

DES MOINES — Mid-Prairie highschooler Drea McCain started working on her new solo routine in early July. Half a year later, she was holding a first place trophy at the state meet.

McCain was one of 10 finalists at the 2024 Class V solo finals in Des Moines on Thursday, Nov. 30. She walked out with her first-ever state championship.

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“I was really surprised, because I was going against a bunch of really good people,” McCain said. “Just to hear that I got first made me happy and excited.”

McCain competed in the Solo championship on Day 2 of a three-day event. The finals began around 10:15 a.m., and McCain was first up.

“I was a little nervous,” McCain said. “It's the first dance they see out of that group.”

McCain, who also attends the National Dance Academy in Coralville, says it was a little different not being able to watch her competition, but she did have another way to calm herself down. Teammate Meadow Flynn also made the solo finals, eventually finishing fifth.

“Meadow and I talk a lot together, just to get in the right head space,” McCain said. “And to calm each other down.”

McCain and Flynn weren’t the only Union area dancers in the Solo finals. Van Buren County’s Julia Meek was 10th in Class III.