Performing most notably during Allen Community College basketball games — at halftime and cheering on fans during play — ACC’s cheer and dance team competed their way to a third place finish at the American Collegiate Championship.
This was the fifth time the cheer and dance team competed at the competition, which took place in Denton, Texas. The team scored 283 out of a possible 300 points in Division III — where community colleges compete.
“That [score] would have beaten all of Division II and all but one of the Division I schools,” coach Mindy Covey said. “Our division was just really tough this year. We would have placed fourth overall.”
There was a lot of work involved to earn that score.
“The girls put in countless hours. They were here throughout all of spring break. It’s a lot of work on all levels,” Covey said, adding that a professional created the dance routine for the team.
To qualify for nationals, the team first competed at a regional competition on March 8 going up against other schools in the Jayhawk Conference. The cheer team took first place in the short form division, performing a 45-second cheer routine and a 60-second dance routine.
The dance team brought two routines and two soloists to the regional. In the team routine they placed third and their hip-hop routine netted them a fourth place finish. Kristina Aulick placed first in the soloist division.
“I choreographed the cheer routine and the dance routine, we took bits and pieces from our halftime performances,” Covey said. “The hip hop routine was choreographed by Rondell Stowe. He’s out of Florida and teaches it.”
Covey said the team finished similar to prior years.
“I think we did really well. Last year, we placed similarly, but this year we took more events,” Covey said. “We had more to showcase. They all placed well. I was happy with how both teams did.”
A few minor setbacks — common to any school — plagued the team, Covey said.
“We had a few leave at semester, like we always do. Some became academically ineligible and some experienced minor injuries,” Covey said. “Overall, both the teams this year were really sound and probably the highest level of competition that we’ve had since I’ve been coach.”
The performances are on the team’s Facebook page “Allen Community College Cheer and Dance.”
ACC cheer, dance teams place nationally
