Morningside takes aim at all-conference awards

Freshman Sage Sheppard (FR/Colorado Springs, Colo.) (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and senior Madison Weidner (SR/Sergeant Bluff, Iowa) (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa) represent Morningside College competitive cheerleading, and the nine-person unit of sophomore Emily Duffek (SO/Tabor, S.D.) (Tabor, S.D.), senior Bryn Groff (SR/Sheldon, Iowa) (Sheldon, Iowa), freshman Jocelyn Hendrix (FR/Council Bluffs, Iowa) (Council Bluffs, Iowa), senior Payton Leavitt (SR/Marcus, Iowa) (Marcus, Iowa), freshman Isabelle Majeres (FR/LeMars, Iowa) (LeMars, Iowa), junior Haley Potthoff (JR/McCook, Neb.) (McCook, Neb.), freshman Samantha Snyder (FR/Marshalltown, IA) (Marshalltown, Iowa) and junior Taylor Strawn (JR/Sioux City, Iowa) (Sioux City, Iowa) make up the Mustangs' competitive dance field at the 2021 Great Plains Athletic Conference all-league competition Saturday, Feb 6.

The event is set for Concordia University's Walz Human Performance Center. Action begins at 10 a.m.

• According to head dance coach Alisha Steckler, individuals need to get 12-15 points for honorable mention and 16 or above for all-conference. "They are judged on a triple pirouette, leaps, dance routine, and turn sequence --- all of which are worth a maximum of five points," she stated. She noted it's the same point system with jumps, running, tumbling, standing tumbling, and stunt regarding cheerleading.
• Head coach Dakota Van Hauen's cheerleading program seeks its first all-GPAC honor since the 2018-19 season. Steckler's dance program has made a habit of having a strong presence on the list. They've picked up a combined 16 all-league and honorable mention notations in the last two seasons. Out of this weekend's competitors, Groff, Leavitt, Mahr, and Strawn are looking to add more to their cadres, with Groff and Strawn having two such previous recognitions.
• Morningside welcomes Grand View University and Midland University Wednesday, Feb 10, for its lone home competition of 2021.