Dance Team

2024 ROSTER 

Grace Stoverink SR
Grace Schwegel SR
Alana Taylor JR
Lexi Stevenson SO
Jaelyn Slow SO
Bella Johnson SO
Gabby Hill FR
Olivia Elliott FR
Riley Clarkin FR
Alisa Buchanan FR
 

The MCHS Dance team performs at all home football and basketball games and competes in Class A division with IDTA and IHSA from December-February. The team also participates in local community events throughout the year such as festivals, parades, and charity and school events.

Tryouts are held twice a year - March/April and October

 

EHHC | 2023

riverbender.com logo
Explorers' Dance Team Once Again Qualifies For IDTA State Competition

 

The Marquette Catholic High School dance team posses for a photo after winning their first regional competition back on Dec. 4.
The Marquette Catholic High School dance team posses for a photo after winning their first regional competition back on Dec. 4.

 

ALTON - For the second year in a row the Marquette Catholic High School dance team has qualified for the Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) state competition.

This comes after winning first place in both the lyrical and jazz routines at the Edwardsville IDTA Regional last weekend.

Article continues after sponsor message

Junior Kambria Simon received the Rising Star Award. Only six girls in the entire competition received that honor.

The State Finals take place next month with the schedule being released on Feb. 5.

 

Junior Kambria Simon with her Rising Star Award.
Junior Kambria Simon with her Rising Star Award.

 

 

The entire team poses after winning two categories at the Edwardsville IDTA Regional.
The entire team poses after winning two categories at the Edwardsville IDTA Regional.

 

riverbender logo

Marquette Catholic Dance Team Is Best In State In Class A Division

 

ALTON - In high school, a primary concentration for many students is the pursuit of growth in what they love to do. The Greek philosopher Epictetus once wrote, “you become what you give your attention to,” and Marquette Catholic’s dance team decided to give their full attention to becoming champions from the beginning of the 2021-2022 season. Recently at the past state finals, Marquette took home the title of state champions in 1A Jazz, 1A Lyrical, and 1A Grand Champions.

 

For over a decade, Marquette has been highly regarded in statewide competitions. Marquette's last state title was in the 2006 season.

Aligning with the team’s intrinsically competitive nature, not only did they reclaim their position, but they topped it. The title of Grand Champions isn’t a status the team has experienced before, and their coach, Sammy Fumagalli, said it is “amazing.”

The key to this achievement was a combination of structure, dedication, and a strong team bond. Since Fumagalli took on the job four years ago, she’s witnessed these dancers grow in not only their dancing ability but also as young women. She sees the importance of being the dancers’ friend and counselor in conjunction with her duties as a coach. Outside of the studio, many of the dancers maintained close social relationships which strengthened the connection between them and contributed to stronger buy-in across the ranks.

Article continues after sponsor message

“Moving into this 2021-2022 year I had a really good feeling," Coach Fumagalli said. "I could see the passion in this team and the talent they had. I knew from the beginning this team was going to do big things. I reminded my girls this all the time because I wanted them to believe it themselves."

The Marquette Catholic dance team girls have worked an entire year for the opportunity to compete in the state, the coach said.

“These girls spend up to 9-10 hours every single week practicing and perfecting routines while still managing to keep up with academics and their personal life,” she added. “They are incredible motivators to each other and have poured a lot into this year."

 
 

ROSTER 2021-2022

Tristin Fraley Senior  
Allie Hunn Senior  
Carmen Isringhausen Senior  
Sophie Bunch Junior  
Amari Hawkins Junior  
Nicole Meine Junior  
Rachel Rummerfield Junior  
Lily Thaxton Junior  
Jaidyn Moore Sophomore  
Kambria Simon Sophomore  
Macy Stevenson Sophomore  
Allison Wooden Sophomore  
Grace Schwegel Freshman  
Grace Stoverink Freshman

HEAD COACH

Megan Stevenson

8 Count Audio Coach of the Year | Southern IL 1A

2021-22

Class 1A IDTA State Champions

1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2022, 2023, 2024

Class 1A IDTA Competition- 2024

1st Place | Lyrical
2nd Place | Jazz

Competition - Belleville Regional 2023

1st Place | Lyrical Division

Class 1A IDTA Competition- 2022

1st Place | Jazz
1st Place | Lyrical
1st  Over All Grand Champions
1st High Point Champions

Competition - Edwardsville Regional 2022

1st Place | Lyrical Division

Class 1A IDTA Competition - 2021

3rd Place | Naperville

Competition - Althoff 2021

1st Place | Lyrical Division