The Kennedy Dance Team will attend the Iowa State Drill Team Association (ISDTA)’s annual state solo qualifier competition on Oct. 24. Kennedy is bringing six soloists who will compete to perform their solo at the ISDTA state competition in December.
Soloists performing are seniors Katelyn Anderson, Emma Olson, Addie Thompson and Nyomi Kelso, junior Anyah Stoppelmoor and sophomore Elle Rammelsberg.
“The state solos qualifier is such an incredible competition,” co-coach Anna Silfe said. “We’re so excited for the girls to have an opportunity to show their talent and dedication to dance as an art form and also a sport.”
Rammelsberg competed her solo last year at qualifiers and received a top ten finish in her division, allowing her to compete at state in which she placed sixth.
“I hope to qualify my solo again this year,” Rammelsberg said. “It was such an experience getting to compete at state last year amongst many other great dancers.”
Anderson was set to attend the qualifier competition last year as well but couldn’t due to an MCL sprain that took her out of the sport for months at the beginning of the season.
“I was planning on competing my solo last year but unfortunately I sprained my MCL just a week prior,” Anderson said. “Obviously that was a big setback, not being able to compete, but it makes me even more excited and ready to come back this year.”
ISDTA solo qualifiers are held at Pella Middle School from 10:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Anderson, Olson and Rammelsberg are set to perform from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Stoppelmoor and Thompson will compete between 12 and 1 p.m. Kelso will finish off, performing between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. All soloists are a part of the Class XI division.
“This qualifier determines who goes to state so it’s a big day for all of us. We can’t wait to see how it turns out,” Silfe said.
