Lionettes ranked nationally, to appear on national television
Contact: Christina Chapple
1/24/06
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LIONETTES RANKED NATIONALLY -- The Lionettes, Southeastern Louisiana University's award-winning dance team, perform their award-winning hip hop dance during halftime of the Jan. 21 Lions vs. Northwestern State home basketball game. The Lionettes were selected for second place in the "hip hop" division and third in the jazz division in the 2006 College Dance Team Championship, held Jan. 15-16 in Orlando, Fla.
HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University’s dance team, the Lionettes, have brought home two top awards from the 2006 College Dance Team Championship held in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 15-16.
Competing against 28 teams in Division I of the annual Universal Dance Association national competition, the Lionettes were selected for second place in the "hip hop" division and third in the jazz division. As one of the top three finishers in both divisions, the Southeastern dancers will appear on the national sports network ESPN later this year.
Lionette Director Christen Anzalone credited the team’s success to its hard work and the leadership, coaching and motivation provided by captain Kandace Kurtz of Mandeville and co-captain Stephanie Sims of Baton Rouge.
"It takes much dedication and love for dance to devote so much time to this sport. I am so proud of the team," Anzalone said.
To qualify for the national competition, teams each submitted an unedited video of dance routines that was judged on projection, choreography, technique, group execution and overall effect. Anzalone said the Lionettes placed third out of 27 teams in the initial bid ranking.
The team's jazz dance was choreographed to Melissa Etheridge's "Brave and Crazy." The hip hop dance was choreographed by Kurtz and Sims to the theme "girls."
"Our team is very 'girly,' so my co-captain and I thought this theme would be perfect!" said Kurtz.
In addition to Kurtz and Sims, the Lionettes who brought home the national honors are Sarah Bates, Denham Springs; Amanda Bazile, Chalmette; Heather Crowe, Amite; Katherine D'Antonio, Kenner; Kim Dottolo, Ponchatoula; Robin Fernandez, Chalmette; Lisa Martinez, Denham Springs; Danielle Mistric, Baton Rouge; Brittani Noland, Belle Chasse; and Amanda Patanella, Independence.
Anzalone encouraged dancers interested in becoming Lionettes to contact her at (985) 549-3654 or email canzalone@selu.edu.
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