The Lisbon Dance team took home a first-place finish in kick and a second-place finish in pom at the Iowa State Dance Championships Thursday, Dec. 5. The team also earned a judge’s choice for their pom routine. The pom routine featured music with a jump theme, while the kick routine was to a “Harry Potter” theme.
“This is the first time that Lisbon has ever placed first in kick and also the first time in program history that we have been awarded the Judge’s Choice Award,” said coach Amy Scallon-Geis. “Only three judges choice awards are given for the day of competition and are the dances that the judges found to be the most entertaining and memorable over the course of the day regardless of point total and placement. To win this award is a huge accomplishment and we were thrilled to win it for our pom routine.”
Scallon-Geis said that this is the largest team in Lisbon Dance team’s history, with 15 members.
“Every year the team works extremely hard, but this team was the most positive and upbeat team I’ve worked with,” Scallon-Geis said. “They helped each other throughout the season and truly found the joy in being a team and dancing together.”
Senior Kaitlynn Hasselbusch concurred.
“One thing I loved about our team this season was that we all just wanted to work hard and do our best,” Hasselbusch said. “None of us were dead set on winning— obviously we wanted to win— but it was never a do or die situation, we just wanted to do what we loved and do it well. Winning was a great perk of our hard work and determination throughout the season.”
Senior Gretchen Moehlman loved the deepening bonds formed with the team.
“It’s awesome to see how much work each girl puts in and how we help each other with both routines as we prepare for state and seeing all of our hard work pay off at state is amazing,” Moehlman said. “Our finish at state was so awesome and it’s such an amazing feeling it felt so great to be apart of. It was a great way to finish our last year.”
Scallon-Geis also commended the work of Bailey Hill (alumni of class of 2016) as assistant coach of the team.
“This is her first year with the team and her help and expertise was instrumental to our success,” Scallon-Geis said. “We are so lucky to have her working with our program.”
Britton Mason also participated in the state solo qualifiers in October, placing 12th overall (just outside the ability to qualify to the state solo competitions).
Hasselbusch has said what she has enjoyed about dance team is how close the team became.
“We have long days, three-to-six-hour practices and day long competitions so it is the best that we are all friends,” Hasselbusch said. Moehlman said she has loved the environment of the team.
“I have loved the environment and the bond that I have grown with each girl on the team,” Moehlman said. “The environment is so uplifting and different compared to other sports I have been involved in in it’s own way. Our coaches do a really good job at making the dance team so enjoyable and a great environment to be in.”
Hasselbusch said her favorite routines have been the pom and kick routines this year, as well as the kick routine from 2023. That kick routine from 2023 was Moehlman’s favorite as well.
“Our pom was so unique and high energy and we never got bored of it,” Hasselbusch said. “Both of our kick routines are fun because they have both been music people know and love so it is fun to see people make that connection.”
Hasselbusch said she is looking forward to the dance showcase that is coming up in March of this year, which highlights the state dance routines, as well as a co-ed routine, father-daughter routine, youth dances and more.
“It is a great way to wrap up our season and we always have so much fun prepping for it,” Hasselbusch said.
“I am looking forward to performing at more sporting events and learning new routines to perform, as well as preparing for our dance showcase, it is always so fun to prepare for and it always turns out so well,” Moehlman said.
“This season was a great way to end my dance career and I’m glad I could do it with this group of girls and our great coaches,” Hasselbusch said. “They put in so many hours and we couldn’t do it without them.”