UNO Dance Team Finishes Sixth At Nationals

The UNO Dance Team finished sixth in the Division I Jazz section at National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The team finished with a score of 9.337 in its first year competing in the jazz division. The acheivement is particularly impressive because most team rosters were twice as large as UNO's.

This is the sixth year of UNO competing against Division I competition and each year they have finished in the top ten. In previous years, they have placed third (2015), fourth (2016), fifth (2014), seventh (2013) and sixth place (2012).

Dance team coach Mo Marmesh said it is incredibly humbling to be consistently ranked in the top 10.

"This year it was especially rewarding because of the family dynamic of the team," she added. "They are truly all close friends."

"With such a small team, a lot more was demanded of them in terms of performances and appearances this year, and they sacrificed a lot to be fully prepared for this event."

This year's team roster included:

Jadyn Bechtold (sophomore)

Brea Bradley (freshmen)

Rachel Mattley (sophomore)

Emma Morice (junior)

Jaclyn Murcek (freshmen)

Olivia Person (junior)

Sienna Scott (junior)

Emily Stephenson (sophomore)

Dakota Wesslund (freshmen)