Bulldogs honored as one of top academic dance teams in the state
After achieving a combined grade point average of 3.9, the MFL MarMac dance team was recognized as one of the top 15 academic squads in all of Iowa. The dancers and coach Kelli Saxe posed with a plaque and a Smarties candy arrangement at an assembly last week. Pictured (front, left to right) are Mariah Moser, Jerica Wille, Lauryn Johnson, Ava Goltz, Mackenzie Bachman; (middle) Macy McGeough, Taryn Moser, Skylar Fisk, Addison Corlett, Charlotte Koether, Lily Johnson, Emma Koether; (back) Mackenzie O’Connell, Madison Eilers, Veda Torkelson, Madison O’Connell, Julia Grau, Rachael Keehner and coach Kelli Saxe. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac dance team has been recognized as one of the top academic squads in the entire state.
Julie Rastetter, lifetime achievement board member and chief financial officer for the Iowa State Dance/Drill Team Association, presented the dancers and coach Kelli Saxe with a plaque and arrangement of Smarties candies during an assembly on Nov. 7.
“Each year, the coaches who make up the Iowa State Dance/Drill Team Association are able to recognize their teams’ success in the classroom through an academic award process,” according to Rastetter.
Of the 180 teams competing, 125 have achieved academic honors. But the Bulldogs rank in the top 15, after achieving a combined grade point average of 3.9 among 18 members.
“Congratulations goes out to you ladies,” said Rastetter. “If you’re smart in the classroom, you’re smart on the dance floor.”
Saxe was proud of the recognition.
“I’m proud of my girls who are getting it done in the classroom, because that’s the most important thing,” Saxe said.
Team captains, seniors Mackenzie Bachman and Ava Goltz, credited work ethic.
“We all work really hard in the classroom. We’re passionate about keeping up with our grades and all have goals of doing well in the future,” Bachman shared. “I’m proud of all the girls working well with each other. There aren’t certain groups on the dance team. We’re all friends with each other and we all support each other...helping each other grow and be better as a team.”
“We’re all like sisters,” agreed Goltz. “I’m proud of everybody on this team and so glad we have a big team this year and can all get along. I’m glad I can finish up my last year with everybody on this team.”
The dance team is preparing now for the state competition the first week of December, at which they will perform two routines.
“I’m really excited and hope you all can keep supporting us,” Bachman said.
Other teams also doing well academically
The dancers aren’t the only Bulldog athletes performing well academically. Three other teams were recognized at last week’s assembly as well.
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union awarded the MFL MarMac volleyball team with the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for a 3.658 GPA. The girls cross country team was likewise recognized for its 3.778 grade point average, while the boys runners earned a combined 3.465.
Senior Jacob Schellhorn was an academic all-state selection, after achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher and qualifying for state cross country for the fourth time.
High school principal Larry Meyer commended all the student athletes.
“Not only are they good in the classroom, they’re good at what they do, but I can vouch for all these people we’re recognizing today have outstanding character—just quality young people,” he shared.
