The Central Arkansas Elite Open All-star team, comprised of 12 Bryant High School Varsity Dance team members and a BHS alumnus, captured the 2010 National Open Pom championships at the Universal Dance Association championships in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 6.

Team members included, front, Katy Mozisek, Callie Akers; second row, Aaryn Murdock, Shelby Ellison, Mackenzie Cole, Cara Prichard, Brooke Kenney, Erica Reeves, Coach Laura Wooten; and, third row, Mallory McElroy, Morganne Gillespie, Mariah McElroy,Samantha Sanders, Olivia Lovell.

(Photo courtesy of DeDe Gillespie)

The Bryant High School varsity dance team completed another successful season under the tutelage of Laura Wooten, reaching the finals in Pom and Hip-Hop at the 2010 National competition in Orlando, Fla. That came after they captured the program’s seventh State Dance championship.

Members of the team include seniors Mackenzie Cole, Cara Prichard and Katy Mozisek; juniors Betsy Browning, Jennifer Bull, Paige Farnam, Katherine Kordsmeier, Mariah McElroy, Erin Moser, Lauren Penfield, Erica Reeves, Samantha Sanders, and Amy Whitt; and sophomores Callie Akers, Shelby Ellison, Morganne Gillespie, Brooke Kenney, Olivia Lovell and Aaryn Murdock.

Photos by RICK NATION

The Bryant and Bethel Dance teams would like to invite everyone to the 3rd Annual "Sting Fling". This event will be held at 6 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Bryant Middle School Gym and will feature each of the school’s Dance teams performing various routines as well as a special opening number performance with all of the dancers performing together including participants in a mini clinic from each of the elementary and middle schools.

Admission is free. Programs, water, shout-outs, t-shirts and other goodies will be on sale.

“Everyone please come join the fun and support these great young athletes,” said Bryant High School Dance coach Laura Wooten.

The Bryant High School varsity cheerleaders finished an impressive fourth place in the nation in the Super Large Varsity Division at the University Cheer Association Nationals in Orlando, Fla.

The squad was the Class 7A State runner-up in competition in December.

The Bryant High School Stinger Steppers dance team returned from the National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Fla., after earning 13th place in the Pom competition and 12th place in the Hip Hop event.

In addition, coach Laura Wooten was awarded the NFHS Spirit Coaches Award.

To see a video that includes an interview with Wooten and features the Stinger Steppers among three teams at the championships, see

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=296719538927&ref=nf

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SPRINGDALE — For the seventh time, the Bryant High School varsity dance team has captured the Class 7A State Dance Championship with their performance on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Springdale Har-Ber High School.

In doing so, the Bryant squad qualified for Nationals in Orlando, Fla., in February. It’s the 13th time, Bryant has made Nationals and the last two years they’ve been National Finalists in Hip Hop and Pom.

The Bryant JV Dance Team recently attended three dance competitions, including Bryant, Van Buren, and Benton Invitationals. They placed first in every category at each competition. They also won the overall outstanding technique award at the Van Buren competition over all teams participating including varsity teams.

Members are, front from left, Aubrey Crockett, Courtney Lawson, captain Bailey Gartrell, Kelsey Rivers, Courtney Glass, Mary Catherine Huffman. Back row, Coach Kim Carmack, Shelby Arnoldy, co-captain Haley Blumfelder, Emily Roberts, Meredith Herring, Lauren Hall, co-captain Shelby Gartrell, captain Ariane Arroyo, and Megan Gray.