Xavier Dance Team To Compete In Nationals

Cincinnati.com

The Xavier University dance team is on its way once again to national championship competition.

For the fourth year in a row, the 12-member squad is heading to Daytona Beach, Fla., April 10 through April 12 to compete in the Cheer and Dance Collegiate Championship.

In preparation for the national competition, the team will perform at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, April 6, in the Gallagher Student Center Theatre on the XU campus. The performance is free and open to the public.

Members of the Xavier dance team are:

* Kim Gohs of Northside, a sophomore early education major;
* Nicki Strehle of Delhi Township, a junior early childhood education major;
* Kristin Strehle of Delhi Township, a freshman accounting major;
* Erin Brannon of East Price Hill, a junior psychology major;
* Emily McCracken of Maineville, sophomore social work major;
* Angela Fraiz of Anderson Township, a freshman nursing major;
* Erin McGrail of Naperville, Ill., a freshman early childhood education major;
* Katherine Von Brecht of Belleville, Ill., a senior natural sciences/biology major;
* Alex Hagenhoff of St. Louis, Mo., a sophomore business major;
* Rachel Rekowski of Fishers, Ind., a junior political science major; and
* Colleen O'Connell of Brookville, Ind., a junior marketing major.

In Daytona, the dance team will compete in Division I against more than a dozen other teams. They will perform hip hop, pom and jazz styles all in one routine. The dance team attended a camp last summer during which they qualified for the championship.

During the school year, the squad practices eight hours a week. In addition, they do numerous performances and fundraisers. Team members also are required to do an additional hour of cardio conditioning each week. They have performed at Reds games, Xavier club football games, men's basketball games and high school basketball games.