While most students are getting back into the swing of classes and preparing for finals, the ISU dance team is focused on winning two state titles.

The Iowa State Gold and Cardinal dance teams are currently preparing for the state competition on Friday. Both teams will be competing in different categories. The Cardinal squad, which consists of 17 dancers, will be performing a pom routine, while the Gold squad, which consists of 18 dancers, will be dancing a jazz routine.

Both the Gold and Cardinal squads are reigning champions in their categories. Last year was the first year Cardinal performed a pom routine, and their captains are hoping for the same result.

“We really want to show what we do best and represent Iowa State well,” said Kelley Jamison, Cardinal squad co-captain and sophomore in agricultural life sciences education. “It is a little nerve-racking because we want to do the same again.”

Stephanie Leeds, Cardinal squad co-captain and sophomore in pre-med, added, “This year our dance is much faster, so we are working on endurance and strengthening.” 

The Gold squad will be competing this year for its fourth state win.

“Our goal is to look our best and do our personal best,” said Morgan Northway, Gold squad co-captain and senior in apparel merchandising, design and production.

“My goal is to push everyone, and myself, to do our best,” said Christie Cutter, Gold squad co-captain and senior in marketing. “We can keep improving and pushing ourselves. We never stop working to get to the next level.”

The squad will be performing an upbeat jazz number this year, something new and different than what it has done in past years.

However, there is more to being a member of the ISU dance team than just performing at state competition. It takes hard work and dedication, members said.

Jamison and Leeds said they practice three times a week and have workouts twice a week. Along with those practices and workouts, both teams also perform at football and basketball games and make appearances at other ISU events.

The Gold squad also competes in the National Dance Alliance national competition every year in April. Last year the team placed third nationally.

“It is not just about dance,” Northway said. “Being on the team holds you to a higher standard.”

Cutter added, “It has been a good learning experience.”

The squads are lead by coach Jill Petersen, who has three goals going into the competition season.

“I want to represent Iowa State well. I want people to be wowed by us and to keep hold of our state titles,” Petersen said.

When asked how she felt going into state as the reigning champion in both pom and jazz, she said she feels “pressure.”

“I want all of the girls to have the experience of winning a state title,” Petersen said. “This year we have worked a lot on stretching and technique, as well as maintaining confidence and continuing to grow.”

Petersen, who is currently in her 13th year as head coach, said that it takes more than just a good dancer to be a member of the team.

“It takes a dancer who is athletic, positive, someone who is coachable and knows their potential, as well as someone who does well academically and is a good ambassador to our university,” she said, adding that in an average week, the girls spend 12 to 18 hours on practices, workouts, appearances and performances.

Northway and Cutter agreed that being on the team is more than just dancing; there is a family feeling on the team.

The dance team will host a preview Thursday night in the gym of the Forker Building. The teams will be performing their state routines and the public is welcome to attend. Updated information can be found on the team’s Facebook page, Iowa State Dance Team.