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Dance Team

West Virginia University

Let's Go Mountaineers!

Members of the West Virginia University Dance Team are representives of the University, as well as leaders among the student body. The purpose of the WVU Dance Team is to support intercollegiate athletics and WVU. The team participates in dance & cheer routines to encourage crowd attention on the court, while creating an atmosphere with the cheerleaders of excitement and enthusiasm at all men's & women's basketball home games. The team also does extensive volunteer work throughout the community and state.

The WVU Dance Team also particpates in the National Dance Association Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL.

Roster

2011-2012 Members

(Click on each name for a detailed bio)

Lena

Sarah

Ariel

Aly

Bria

Janae

Christina

Taylor

Mandi

Courtney

Bethany

Sam

Nicki

Kristin

Kendra

Kelly

Jamie

Maggie

Lindsay

Johnna

Mel

Directors

WVU Dance Team Director

Sarah Swartz

Gallery

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Mandi

Mandi Harshman, Senior

Mandi Harshman is a third year dance team member and a Senior Advertising major at WVU. Dancing has always been a huge part of her life, previously taking class at Houck Dance Studio, in her hometown of Uniontown, PA, for thirteen years. So far with the WVU Dance Team, NDA has awarded her the title of an All-American dancer in 2010 and 2011. However, her proudest accomplishments so far have been being a part of the back to back National Dance Association Division 1A National Championship winning team in the years of 2010 and 2011 with her WVU dance team family. Being able to claim the title two years in a row was an indescribable feeling and instilled in the team a hunger for excellence. Because of this, she is excited to carry on the enthusiasm of past years into the 2011-2012 dance season. Mountaineers have pride and love for their school and sports teams, and as a member of the dance team, she can't wait to cheer on the Nationally recognized Men's and Women's basketball teams. LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!

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Media

News Haven't You Heard?Dance Team Sells Face Tattoos for $1.009.15.11The WVU Dance Team is selling Almost Heaven Face Tattoos for $1.00. They will be sold on campus and also at home football games. E-mail wvudance_gmail.com if you are interested. Dance team hoping for another ChampionshipBy Leighann Mclurg, The Daily Athenaeum - 8.22.11Shows like "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance" are not the only people who show dance skill.The talent of the West Virginia University dance team will not only blow you away, but will make you want to get up and mimic every controlled move.WVU Dance Team Head Coach Sarah Swartz is extra proud of her team this year.The team competed in Daytona Beach, Fla., at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Nationals in April and brought home the proud score of 9.934."They had the highest score of the entire (NDA) Collegiate Nationals, including all cheer and dance teams," Swartz said. "This was their second consecutive championship in Open Dance Division IA."The team is centered around energy, dedication and control, Swartz said.With two practices a week, mandatory workouts and performances on campus and at sporting events, the girls stay pretty busy.To be on the team, you must be a student at WVU, hold a 2.0 GPA, and you must complete 12 hours of classes each semester.Tryouts are held in the spring and dancers are encouraged to send in their video auditions in hopes of joining the team.These girls not only put tremendous hard work and dedication into their workouts, competitions and games, they also have to work hard at getting enough money to buy their costumes and uniforms, earning travel expenses, camp costs and fees."Any donations or fundraising opportunities are more than appreciated. We also love being asked to perform at events on campus," Swartz said.So the next time you see the girls dressed in sparkling gold and blue who are light on their feet, cheer them on and congratulate them.

Haven't you heard?

Awards

Awards & Recognition

2009-2010

-NDA Collegiate National Champions Open

Division 1A

*Choreography Award

-NDA Camp: Gold (full-paid) bid to NDA Nationals

-NDA Camp: Most Collegiate Team Award

-NDA Camp: Top Gun Turner Award

-Samantha Szymanski

-NDA Camp: Top Gun Jumps

-Radine Corley

-NDA Camp: All-American Selections

*Shannon Windisch

*Radine Corley

*Samantha Boley

2010-2011

-NDA Collegiate National Champions Open Division 1A

*Highest score of the competition!

-Athlon Sports Sideline Spirit Contest

*(Leah Show) runner-up

-NDA Camp: Gold (full-paid) bid to NDA Nationals

-NDA Camp: 2nd place in Team Dance

-NDA Camp: Best Overall Team award

-NDA Camp: Gold Award (highest award possible) for Game Day routine

-NDA Camp: Collegiate Spirit Stick Recipient

-NDA Camp: 6 All-American Nominations

*Christina Fortunato

*Samantha Szymanski

*Samantha Freels

*Johnna Smith

*Mandi Harshman

*Courtney Schaefer

-NDA Camp: Top Gun Turner Award

*Samantha Szymanski

-NDA Camp: 4 All-American Selections

*Samantha Szymanski

*Mandi Harshman

*Christina Forunato

*Johnna Smith

2011-2012

-NDA Camp: Gold (full-paid) bid to NDA Nationals

-NDA Camp: 2nd place in Team Dance

-NDA Camp: Best Overall Team award

-NDA Camp: Gold Award (highest award possible) for Game Day routine

-NDA Camp: Collegiate Spirit Stick Recipient

-NDA Camp: 7 All-American Nominations

-NDA Camp: Top Gun Turner Award

*Samantha Szymanski

-NDA Camp: 4 All-American Selections

*Samantha Szymanski

*Mandi Harshman

*Christina Forunato

*Johnna Smith

2008-2009

-NDA Collegiate Open Division 1A: 3rd Place

2007-2008

-NDA Collegiate Open Division 1A: 2nd Place

Contact

Contact Information

For questions regarding the WVU Dance Team,

or for an appearance or performance request,

please email our director, Sarah Swartz at

WVUDance_gmail.com

Sponsors

Sponsors & Donors...we thank you!

Interested in making a donation to the WVU Dance Team or

being one of this year's sponsors?

Email: WVUDance_gmail.com
Business Donors:BlaineTurner Advertising (Morgantown, WV)St. Paul's Church (Wheeling, WV)Mylan Park Elementary School (Morgantown, WV)Taco Bell (Patteson Drive)Burger King (Patteson Drive)Hotel Morgan (Morgantown, WV)Lavish Botique (Morgantown, WV)Victory Express (Washington, PA)Blue Bird Bus (Gibsonia, PA)Elite Dance by Damian (Warrendale, PA)Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly, & George: Attorney's at Law (Ellwood City, PA)Midtown Mobile Homes (Tridelphia, WV)WC Rural Health Research Center (Morgantown, WV)V & B Decorating (Morgantown, WV)Caporella's Ristorante (Uniontown, PA)Uniontown Free Methodist Church (Uniontown, PA)Don's Bar (Pittsburgh, PA)Alternative Careers & Transitions, Inc.Tan 1 (Morgantown, WV)Academy of Dance by Lori (Pittsburgh, PA)Good Orthodontics (Pittsburgh, PA)Piority Flooring, Inc. (McMurray, ,PA)Cherry Tree Lawn Care & Landscaping (Canonsburg, PA)CyBerJaz/Patti Wilhelm (Aliquippa, PA)Customized Just 4 You (Morgantown, WV)Rebecca Devono Photography (Morgantown, WV)

Official Jewelry Sponsor

A special 'thank you' to all of our private donors from the 2010-2011 season! We appreciate your donations more than you know!

Promotional Items

Thank you to Jake Lambuth _ Eye of Jake Photography for providing our 2011-2012 pictures

Kelly

Kelly Muller, Senior
Kelly Muller is a senior childhood development and family studies major from Long Island, New York. Kelly has danced on the WVU dance team for four years and helped the team win two national titles at the National Dance Association collegiate competition. While at WVU, Kelly has also completed a dance minor and keeps busy by volunteering around Morgantown. Kelly looks forward to cheering on the Mountaineers and wishes all the sports team Good Luck for the upcoming season! Let's Go Mountaineers!

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Christina

Christina Fortunato, Senior
Fourth year team member Christina is a senior elementary and special education major from Wheeling, WV. She started dancing at age 2 and established her background ant Dance Dimensions in Wheeling. Dancing has always been her passion and it has been a dream come true for her to dance for the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Her accomplishments range from many group and individual awards with her studio to back to back NDA National Championships in 2010 and 2011 with the dance team, the latter being the highlight of her college career thus far. She was named to the 2010 and 2011 NDA collegiate All-American team. Christina was a born performer and loves nothing more than cheering on the Men and Women's basketball teams and wishes them both a great season. Let's go Mountaineers!

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Bethany

Bethany Goff, Freshman
Bethany Goff is a freshman theatre major from Morgantown, WV. She has danced at Performing Arts Academy since age 4 and attended the Pre-Professional Dance Program at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA during her junior year of high school. Bethany has danced competitively for many years and has attended numerous regional dance workshops. She participated in summer intensives at Point Park University, including the Rockette Summer Intensive, and at Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and has also performed with West Virginia Public Theatre in their productions of A Chorus Line and High School Musical. Bethany was a 2 year member of the Westwood Middle School Dance Team and a 4 year member of the University High School Dance Team. While at UHS, she travelled with the dance team to perform at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Bethany is looking forward to her first year with the WVU Dance Team cheering on the Mountaineers!

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Jamie

Jamie Matkovich, Freshman
Jamie is a freshman from St. Clairsville, OH and a biochemistry major at WVU. She began dancing at age 2 and has had a passion for performing and competing ever since. She has danced at Dance Dimensions in Wheeling, WV as well as La Danse Technique in her hometown of St. Clairsville. She was a 4 year member of her high school cheerleading squad and was honored as an All-American. Jamie was also chosen as an Americheer cheerleader of cheerleaders finalist. She is so excited to be a part of the back to back national champion team and can't wait to cheer on the Mountaineers!

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Lindsay

Lindsay Scarberry, Freshman
Lindsay is a freshman journalism major and first year member of the West Virginia University Dance Team. Lindsay began dance at the age of 3 under the direction of Gel Tracewell of Gel’s Dance Centres near her hometown of Mineral Wells, West Virginia. During her time there she was on numerous award winning competitive teams and was also an award-winning soloist. During her time at Parkersburg South High School she was a member of the Southern Belles dance team there adding three more national championships to her name. “It’s great to have the opportunity to do something that I love through the University.” Lindsay is excited for her first year and can’t wait to represent WVU and be a part of such a strong group of girls.

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Bria

Bria Cross, Freshman
Bria is a freshman and a first year Dance Team member from Wheeling, WV. She is a direct-admit accounting major in the WVU 21st Century Business Program and is minoring in dance. She started dancing at age 2 at Turn It Out Dance Academy by Dance Dimensions. She has studied jazz, tap, acro, ballet, pointe, lyrical, and modern dance. She has won many individual and group overall awards with her studio. Bria is the reigning 2011 OVAC Queen of Queens winner. She was also a 3 year varsity cheerleader at Wheeling Central Catholic High School where she won a WVSSAC state cheering title her sophomore year. She is looking forward to cheering on the Mountaineers and competing with the Dance Team to add a National Championship to her resume!

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Lena

Lena Biafora, Freshman
Lena Biafora is the daughter of Rick and Michelle Biafora of Morgantown, West Virgina. She attended University High School and was a four year member of her school dance team. She also participated in other clubs such as Student Council, National Honors Society, Hawks in Community Service, and Ski club. Lena was a three year member of the Greater Morgantown Area Youth Commission and served as their secretary for two consecutive years. Lena's education in dance started at Kat and Company Dance Studio under the instruction of Katreena Snyder. While a student of Snyder, Lena achieved many outstanding awards such as the recent title of Miss Extreme Talent 2011 and many other competition related scholarships and awards. To further her knowledge in the arts, Lena has also trained with Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Point Park University, and Joffrey Ballet in New York City. She is very excited to be a member of the WVU Dance Team and is looking forward to a great year!

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Mel

Mel Moraes, Grad Student
Mel is a first-year graduate student in the Integrated Marketing Communications master's program, and a third-year member of the WVU Dance Team. She received her bachelor's degree in public relations with minors in theatre & dance in May 2011, cum laude. In addition to being a dance team member her freshman and sophomore year, she was involved with the Student Government Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, MountieRide, Mountaineer Maniacs, WVU Dance Ensemble, Student Video Diaries and more during undergrad. Mel studied classical ballet for 19 years and trained with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, American Ballet Theatre, Point Park University, and the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh. She was elected to WVU's Homecoming Court in 2010. Mel is a seasonal employee in the entertainment department of The Walt Disney World Resort as a Character & Parade Performer, after having completed the Disney College Program in 2009. She currently serves as a graduate assistant for WVU's University Relations-News department, and is excited to come back to the team to cheer on her favorite WVU athletes. Let's Go Mountaineers!

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Sarah

Sarah Kolaczynski, Sophomore
Sarah is a sophomore and a second year WVU Dance Team member. Psychology is her intended major while attending West Virginia University. Sarah found her dance passion in the genre of hip-hop as a five-year all-star member with Pittsburgh Pride All-stars and Platinum Elite All-stars in her hometown of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. She has had much success individually as well as part of a team in competing in numerous local and national competitions throughout the country. Sarah was also a competitive gymnast with Meadowlands Gymnastic Training Center for ten years where she honed her tumbling skills. Sarah has also recently trained with Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center. During Sarah’s freshman year, the Dance Team won their second consecutive national championship and Sarah is grateful to be a part of that winning. She only hopes that this team can return to Daytona, Florida for a third win. Sarah’s passion is to dance; therefore, she looks forward to continue this tradition as a member of the sensational WVU Dance Team. She loves that the Dance Team and the Mountaineers show so much enthusiasm for their school and their sports, and it is with great zeal that she looks forward to supporting the nationally ranked men’s and the women’s basketball teams. LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS!

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Taylor

Taylor Stewart, Junior
Taylor is a junior nursing major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and this is her third year on the WVU dance team. Taylor began her dancing career at the age of 2 and danced competitively at Borelli’s Dance Gallery where she won numerous regional and national awards. Taylor was captain of the dance team at Keystone Oaks before she moved on to wild and wonderful West Virginia. Her favorite dance team memories are the back to back National Championships that the dance team won in Daytona Beach in 2010 and 2011. She hopes to help bring home a third championship in 2012! Taylor is proud to be a Mountaineer and can’t wait to cheer on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams this season. LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!

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Ariel

Ariel Fink, Senior
Ariel is from Beckley, West Virginia. She is majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology. This is her fourth year on the WVU Dance Team. She began dancing at the age of 3. Ariel is proud to have danced and contributed to the back-to-back 2010 & 2011 titles of Division 1A Open Dance National Champion. She enjoys all sports, traveling and experiencing different cultural venues. Ariel has earned various dance scholarships and awards, but performing at the Coliseum for Men’s and Women’s basketball games is the most enjoyable and gratifying accomplishment imaginable. Coming from a family that bleeds blue and gold, it’s only natural that she’s passionate about being a Mountaineer.

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Kristin

Kristin Walp, Sophomore
Taylor is a junior nursing major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and this is her third year on the WVU dance team. Taylor began her dancing career at the age of 2 and danced competitively at Borelli’s Dance Gallery where she won numerous regional and national awards. Taylor was captain of the dance team at Keystone Oaks before she moved on to wild and wonderful West Virginia. Her favorite dance team memories are the back to back National Championships that the dance team won in Daytona Beach in 2010 and 2011. She hopes to help bring home a third championship in 2012! Taylor is proud to be a Mountaineer and can’t wait to cheer on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams this season. LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!

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Nicki

Nicki Hulsart, Freshman
Nicki is a freshman with an undecided major. She has been dancing for 13 years at Standing Ovation School of Dance in Brick, New Jersey and loves every minute of it. Nicki has been a member of a competition team for 10 years now and has won numerous awards and scholarships. She has been trained in all types of dance and tries her best at everything she does for herself and her team. "Coming to WVU and having the honor to be a member of the dance team is one of my biggest accomplishments." Nicki is looking forward to her first year at WVU and is privlidged to get the opportunity to dance and spend time with such amazing girls like the WVU Dance Team.

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Courtney

Courtney Schaefer, Sophomore
Courtney is a sophomore Communications major and a second year WVU Dance Team member. A resident of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, Courtney has 13 years of extensive dance training with a top ranked studio, Elite Dance by Damian. A competitor on a regional and national level, she has achieved many national awards. Courtney loves to perform in all areas of dance and has been recognized as a top performer. The highlight of last season was claiming the title of NDA National Champions with her team in Daytona Beach, Florida. She is honored and proud to represent WVU. Courtney is going to continue to be a part of West Virginia’s strong tradition and spirit as a member of the two-time National Champion dance team. Let’s go Mountaineers!

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Sam

Samantha Szymanski, Junior
As a third year team member, Samantha is a Junior and a Communications major here at WVU. Coming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Samantha's dance experience includes her 17 years at the Academy of Dance by Lori. She went to the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts for all four years of high school as a dance major. Samantha has won many awards at competitions and camps throughout the years. Her collegiate awards include NDA Camp Top Gun Turner in 2009, 2010, and 2011, along with being awarded All-American Dancer in 2010 and 2011. Her most prized accomplishments are being a apart of the WVU Dance Team the past two years when the team went on to win the NDA National Championship in 2010 and 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Samantha cannot wait for the upcoming season with the men's and women's basketball teams. Let's Gooo Mountaineers!

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Try-Outs

2012-2013 Try-Outs
Try-out dates for the 2012-2013 WVU Dance Team will be announced closer to April. Try-outs are held once a year in Spring, normally the first weekend of May. Please check back for dates. Tryouts are held for two days. The first day will include an informational meeting and clinic. The second day will be tryouts. - The clinic will be open to all spectators that make a minimum donation of $5.00. - Try-outs are closed to the public. - There is a $25.00 audition fee per person. This fee is due at clinic. - Each candidate should wear form fitting clothing. It is recommended, but not required that each person wear a halftop.- No jewelry or tattoos may be worn or shown. - Each candidate may choose to e-mail their individual solo music to wvudance_gmail.com prior to try-out. If you choose not to, you will be need to bring a MP3 (preferred) or CD version of your music to try-outs. - A minimum number of10 people will be selcted each year, but there is no maximum. Alternate positions will also be considered each year. Try-Out Format (subject to change)- Fight song evaluation (taught at clinic)- Jazz/Hip-hop combination (taught at clinic) - You will be asked to perform the following individually (you may be asked to do additional tricks) 1. Triple & quad pirouettes (right & left)2. Turns a la seconde3. Jete4. Toe Jump - One minute individual solo in any style. Highlight what you do best! Please bring the following forms to clinic. Everyone will need to turn in these forms in order to participate in the clinic. 1. Returning students must be a current copy of their unofficial transcript.2. Incoming freshman must being a copy of their WVU acceptance letter. 3. Everyone needs to being a copy of their insurance card. 4. Everyone needs to fill out the information sheet before attending the clinic. Video Audition Form (subject to change)- One minute solo in any style. Hightlight what you do best! - One cheer sideline (with or without words) - Triple & quad pirouettes (right & left)- Six turns a la seconde - Optional turn segment- Toe jump- Jete (right)- Leap in second (either side)- Chaines turn jete turn (right)- Optional jump- Optional tumbling skills (not required, but it is a plus) - If you are planning on submitting a video, please e-mail wvudance_gmail.com. - All vidoes must be postmarked by no later than April 22nd. - You will need to fill out the information sheet and send it in with your video. - A $25.00 audition fee must be included. - You may send a VHS, DVD, or you can e-mail a file to wvudance_gmail.com. - If you are e-mailing the video, you will still need to mail the completed information sheer along with the $25.00 fee. All videos & correspondence should be mailed to the following address:WVU Dance Team 2814 Suncrest VillageMorgantown, WV 26505

Camp

2012 Dance Camp
INTERESTED IN DANCING WITH THE WVU DANCE TEAM?If so, make plans to attend our WVU Dance Team Camp on February 18th in the Mountainlair Ballrooms at West Virginia University. This is open to anyone who wants to know what its like to be a WVU Dance Team member. All participants will learn a routine, which will be performed at a timeout during the WVU vs. Louisville PINK women's basketball game at the WVU Coliseum later that day. T-shirts are provided in registration fee along with a free ticket. Additional tickets are available at WVUGame.com. SCHEDULE8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. ........Registration 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. .......Learn Routine9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. .......Stretch/Warm-Up 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. .........Baskball Game When: Saturday, February 18, 2012 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Where: Mountainlair Ballrooms Price: $35.00/participant Download registration form here. *In order to be guaranteed a t-shirt in the correct size, all early registrations must be received by February 4th.

2012DanceClinic.pdf

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