TEAM NAME:
Belleville East Lancer Dancers
CLASSES:
IHSA 3A, IDTA triple-A
MORE STUFF TO KNOW:
IDTA State routines: AAA Lyrical, AAA Jazz
Coach: Sarah Pugh
Conference: Southwestern
Where in IL: Metro East (the IL side of the STL suburbs)
Season tidbits: 14th at IHSA sectionals. Hosted IHSA/IDTA comp. Qualified IDTA jazz on 1/18 at Edwardsville, and lyrical on 2/8 at Highland
THE SUPER-QUICK INTERVIEW:
What’s it like to perform at such a high level in both IDTA and IHSA?
We were impressed with all of the teams at our 3A Sectional with IHSA and loved watching them perform! We like competing IDTA because we feel the judges’ critiques challenge us to grow our routines more. With not having as many IHSA invitationals in this area, we wouldn’t get that helpful feedback if it wasn’t for IDTA.
Was there a moment during the season when it all seemed to click?
After we hosted our IDTA regional January 4, the team started to transition from just teammates to real friends. They had a stronger bond and trusted each other more. When that happened, the routines improved as well.
What jazz or ballet skills does your team excel at?
We have a variety of strengths on our team! As a whole, our strongest skill would be our grand jetés. We also have on the team some strong aerialists and a la secondes.
What are the keys to a good routine?
Keys to a good routine would be to have a strong connection to your audience, the judges, and each other. You want to make people feel something when they watch you perform.
Favorite styles of dance to perform?
Lyrical seems to be a team favorite because you can put so much emotion into those routines.
What about favorite styles of dance to watch?
Our team enjoys watching Kick and Pom Dance routines!
Other teams you’re fans of?
Centralia’s hip hop team, Without Limits, and our sister school, Belleville West!
Favorite moments of the season up to this point?
After our last regional performance at Highland, everyone walked off the court proud of themselves, feeling like they put their personal best out on the floor. That was a really good moment for everyone, and a personal favorite for Coach.
ILLINOIS DANCERS
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Belleville East!
2.14.20
Lengthy tradition of dance excellence at Belleville East continues with 2 state bound IDTA routines [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Knoxville!
2.14.20
Knoxville’s kick specialists have had to battle through the season, but they’re headed to Springfield to contend for a single-A kick category championship [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Lyons Township!
2.13.20
These dancers came out on top of several elite programs at their conference comp before taking 2nd at sectionals. LT helps represent the Chicago ‘burbs at IDTA state with a couple top-shelf routines this weekend [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Nashville!
2.13.20
This steadily rising program has now put together a couple nice seasons in a row! The Nashville dancers hit Springfield this weekend with a competitive lyrical and a dominating jazz routine [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Gardner-South Wilmington!
2.13.20
These versatile athletes from the very edge of the Chicago metro area looked great in Bloomington and are now set to compete in single-A pom and jazz at IDTA state [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Murphysboro!
2.13.20
This team’s enjoying a breakout season and are bringing the heat to IDTA state with their jazz and pom dance routines [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Seneca!
2.13.20
They attracted a lot of attention in 1A a couple seasons ago, looked great in Bloomington at IHSA state, and are poised to bring their lyrical talents to IDTA state [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Marion!
2.12.20
Known for their strong kick tradition, Marion frequently packs a punch when it comes to pom and lyrical work. The southern Illinois powerhouse once again graces the IDTA state floor in multiple categories this weekend [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Jacksonville!
2.12.20
Breakout 1A stars in IHSA a couple seasons ago, the J’ettes have been a force in IDTA for years and will show that legacy again this weekend at IDTA state [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Elmwood!
2.12.20
They rocked both days at IHSA state and these pom specialists are back for more at IDTA state this weekend [more]
One more shot to qualify for IDTA state!
2.7.20
Who’s got a little more left in the tank? Teams will go the extra mile to try and qualify for IDTA state in what we’re calling Last Chance Weekend! Here’s a look at the different situations that got them there [more]
STL-area teams go beast mode with IHSA sectional, IDTA qualification implications
1.17.20
Polished, January-level dances face the two rubrics at a huge southwestern IL comp [more]
IDTA state qualification spots up for grabs for central IL teams
1.17.20
Another 2-rubric Saturday for top-tier teams from around the middle of the state [more]
Start time pushed back to NOON!
1.17.20
Snow kidding, this comp is a key to a lot of teams heading into sectionals [more]
Up Next: an oversized schedule and we love it! It’s Huntley!
1.10.20
No scrubs at all in the longest day of dance this season [more]
Up Next: it’s Chicagoland’s classic January comp!
1.10.20
North and NW suburban teams…plus a huge name from the western ‘burbs…are ready to heat things up on a wintry Saturday [more]
Up Next: a rare IHSA-only event outside of the Chi area
1.10.20
One of 1A’s most prestigious programs hosts a fiery selection of teams from around the state [more]
Up Next: 2nd consecutive weekend of dance for eastern and central IL
1.10.20
It’s almost an IHSA sectional preview–2 of them–at this weekend’s IDTA/IHSA clash at Charleston [more]
Up Next: Major teams set to clash at the southern tip of the state
1.10.20
Those IHSA and IDTA rubrics are ready for ya, southern IL teams! [more]
Up Next: Porterettes play host on a wintry Saturday
1.10.20
What was once a shorter comp years ago now boasts a full day of state-worthy teams [more]
Up Next: Sailorettes welcome teams to their end-of-break battle
1.3.20
A couple 3A and a fun assortment of 1A and 2A teams converge on Argo’s unique gym [more]
Up Next: Chi-area teams prep for two state contests
1.3.20
Maine East’s beautiful, old building hosts Chicago area teams dancing under both rubrics [more]
Up Next: east siiiddee!!!! gets the spotlight
1.3.20
Time for Central and East Central IL to shine at VG as winter break wraps up [more]
Up Next: southern IL and STL-area wrap up break
1.3.20
Big day at Belleville East is a major test for both IDTA and IHSA routines [more]
Up Next: day-to-night action in the ‘shire
12.13.19
Mid-December tradition continues at SHS with elite lineup [more]
Up Next: big-name teams meet up at the edge of the Chicago metro
12.13.19
Tasty blend of IHSA / IDTA-focused teams make up the field at Seneca [more]
Up Next: Central IL teams converge on the Peoria area
12.13.19
IDTA / IHSA action heats up in the middle of the state [more]
Up Next: STL’s ready to rumble
12.13.19
Illinois’ southern and St. Louis area teams go at it at the Althoff IDTA comp [more]
Up Next: 3A doin’ work at Dub V
12.13.19
Roll up your sleeves, 3A, ’cause it just got serious [more]
Up Next: Saturday morning showdown at DeKalb
12.13.19
With sectional assignments posted, 1A and 2A teams start the match-up game at DeKalb [more]
Up Next: cozy gym and amazing 2A teams at CL Central’s comp
12.04.19
The floor, the fieldhouse, and the school have tons of vintage character for an amazing group of teams at CLC [more]
Up Next: category awards back for 1 day at an IHSA comp
12.04.19
Amazing gym, category awards, and one of IL’s most popular teams at the GBS comp [more]
Up Next: 3A champs host on Sunday
12.04.19
GW vs LWC, new stuff from LP, and probable excellence from so many others at Naperville North [more]
Up Next: IDTA season launches at GSW
12.04.19
Some prominent IHSA teams join in on the fun at Gardner-South Wilmington [more]
Up Next: a crazy talented split schedule at Minooka
12.04.19
Who needs an IHSA state crystal ball to look into the future when you can just come to the Minooka comp? [more]
Up Next: modern dance, vintage gym, great hosts at Batavia
12.04.19
Chi-area teams from the central and far west suburbs meet up [more]
Up Next: the 2A champs host a huge showdown
12.04.19
Big name teams battle for 2A prestige at Lake Zurich [more]
Up Next: 2A in the morning, 3A and 1A in the pm
11.28.19
Props to these teams for dancing at the end of Thanksgiving weekend [more]
Up Next: an afternoon-only sesh at Deerfield
11.20.19
After your morning at Libertyville, head 11 miles south for part 2 at Deerfield! [more]
Up Next: a morning-only sesh at Libertyville
11.20.19
Preview and fan tips from the host team! [more]
DANCERS EVERYWHERE
Iowa’s state contest: from an IL point of view
1.4.20
Part 1 of our look at Iowa’s dance scene viewed from Illinois [more]
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