This has been anything but a usual school year. COVID has had schools on high alerts and taking extra safety precautions for both the learning and the athletic aspect. While Eagle Grove has been fortunate to be able to be in-school learning and activiely participating in extra curricular activities, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some adjustments made to schedules, and that includes State Drill Team competition for the Golden Stars.
Adnrea Dana, executive director of the Iowa State Dance/Drill Team Association, announced recently that there will be some very important changes to both the State Solo and Team Championships. Their goal was to still give them the opportunity to compete in-person at Wells Fargo Arena or Hy-Vee Hall, but also keep them safe. The biggest change is that the competition dates have been moved. In year’s past, the individual solo competition has been held the first weekend in November, and the team competition held in early December. This year, both competitions will be held together with schools competing on one of three dates – November 17, 18, or 19, 2020 in Des Moines. One day will be designated for small school competition, another for medium schools, and the last for large schools. Team routines will be in Wells Fargo Arena, and soloists performing at Hy-Vee Hall.
A press release issued from ISDTA stated “This date and format change gives teams the best opportunity to compete, cheer on their soloists, minimize travel, and the need for overnight stays.”
Golden Stars Head Coach Ann Sampson commented, “(The earlier competition date) certainly puts us on high alert. Every member on drill team is a dual sport athlete which makes it even more important that we have everyone present at every drill team practice due to many of them being gone to meets/games. We know this change of date is the best plan of action for the current situation and is also the closest way to stay as “normal” as possible at this point for our graduating seniors.”
She added at as a team, they have stepped up their intensity at practices.
“While it feels like we are already behind the “8 ball” with so much to do and 15 less days to accomplish it, the girls are not backing down and are pushing forward and working hard to attain our team goals. We will always continue to pursue our standard of excellence with every practice and state performance that we are all accustomed to seeing,” she said.
The Award Ceremony portion of competition will also look different this year. In order to maintain ISDTA’s high standards of competition, the judges have been invited to evaluate routines virtually.
Because of this, ISDTA will host a LIVE virtual awards ceremony December 5th to celebrate our teams and soloists.
Although things will look different this year, ISDTA believes these changes will allow for an amazing competition and give teams a chance to experience the thrill of state in Des Moines.
For more information on this year’s competitions, please visit the ISDTA website, www.isdta.net.
