Combined Bonney Lake/Sumner dance team advances to district

Published 12:47 pm Saturday, November 21, 2009

The combined Bonney Lake and Sumner high school dance team placed sixth among 22 teams that competed at Nov. 14 Tumwater Dance and Drill Competition, “Time To Get Your Move On.”

The squad received a score of 221 in drill/military-style competition, which qualified them for March 13 district competition.

The group competed against teams from Bethel, Enumclaw, Gig Harbor, Heritage, Lynnwood, Newport, North Thurston, Olympia, Rainier, River Ridge, Shorewood, South Kitsap, host Tumwater and others.

Awards were presented in overall dance, hip hop, pom, drill/guard and dance/kick.

“In order for a team to get invited to districts, they must score 195 or better on any routine at a competition,” coach Jill McKinley said. “This was our first competition and we did it.”

McKinley said it took three competitions for the team to qualify last year.

She said her squad will attempt to qualify Jan. 23 in the pom routine at Lindbergh High School in Renton.

“That way, we’ll have two chances at district to get a berth to the state competition in March,” McKinley said.

A team needs a score of 210 to reach state, she added.

Members of the Bonney Lake/Sumner squad are Rachel Knutson, captain; Amanda Bohl, Kiersti Nichols and Breanna Zimbelman, lieutenants; April Williams, Brenda Duarte, Chelsea Erickson, Jacey Zitterich, Kylee Thompson, Kaylie Moroles, Xia Zimmerman, Nicole Cochran, Marianda Hasek and Jessica Lyon.

The squad will compete Dec. 12 at Hazen High School in Renton and Feb. 6 at Tahoma High School in Covington.