The Becker Dazzlers Dance Team kicked off their 2021 season Fri.,  Jan. 15 at Monticello. Head Coach Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen continues as the team’s head coach with a new volunteer coach in Shelby Maki. 

“We’re very excited to have her (Maki) involved with our JV program,” Fischer-Danzeisen said.  

Nadia’s two assistants from last year, Ashley Gast and Madison Anderson, have moved on to other ventures. The Dazzlers are comprised of 36 student/athletes.

“It’s been a nightmare trying to schedule competitions since all dance competitions are tournament style,” said Nadia. “I haven’t gone to a six-team or less competition in years so having to navigate a dual or tri-meet has been challenging.”

Enter COVID-19.

“The main issue we’re currently facing in regards to masks is while they’re competing,” said Fischer-Danzeisen. “There is a deduction if a piece of the uniform comes off; and, not that there’s a clear deduction, but points will definitely be taken away in routine effectiveness if they adjust their masks while competing.” 

Fischer-Danzeisen is concerned if her dancer’s masks do need to be adjusted in the middle of a skill for safety reasons, she asks how will the girls respond to that pressure situation?

“Dancers are also judged on their presentation so the fact that their masks will be covering most of their face does not bode well for scoring high in that category,” she says. “Lastly, my other main concern right now is that there are no “time outs” in dance. If we need to stop the music because someone is having a hard time breathing, etc. we will have to re-start the routine without that person in formation.”

Overall, Nadia is  happy to announce that her athletes did great with their sessions with their masks on the entire practice. 

“We have such respectful and responsible kids on our team,” she said. “I never once had to tell them to get their masks on, etc. As we transition back to in person after the pause, I’m sure it will be the same. We have athletes with asthma, heart conditions, etc. and they’ve all impressed me with how they’ve handled the adversity.”

Fischer-Danzeisen says of her 36 dancers, she doesn’t designate any “starters” since there are no substitutions she can make in the middle of a competition. However, she has four incredible captains that have been chosen to lead others this season in seniors Skylar Kipka, Paige Mohs and Emma Proefrock and junior Gabby Thelen. 

The team’s goals every year are to have self-improvement on and off the court, an inward focus on the team, and staying in the moment. The girls will strrive for winning the conference, section, or advancing to the state tournament and the head coach feels these goals are achievable as long as the dancers stay disciplined when things get hard. 

“Last year, we won the conference for the first time in the history of the Becker dance team and we’d love nothing more than to be back-to-back conference champs,” said Nadia. 

The roster includes: Kaelyn Baumgarten, Layla Bigelow, Kaelyn Drayna, Gabriella Dumonceaux, Rylee Felton, Ashlyn Frey, Marissa Hook, Taryn Huber, Emily Huffman, Amanda Jonas, Sara Jonas, Skylar Kipka, Stephanie Kluge, Hayli Kotzer, Amanda Krenz, Claire MacMillan, Ashley Matvick, Lilli Melby, Paige Mohs, Hannah Oakes, Haylee Oakes, Kailey Peterson, Cassidy Pleoger, Natalie Pozorski, Ryleigh Procter, Emma Proefrock, Kennedy Riffe, Gabriella Thelen, Gracie Tobako, Jenessa Toulouse, Ali Vieau, Melina Warner, Taylor Weismann, Amelia Weller, Wren Williams and Ally Young.