The Marshalltown Community College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the hiring of Tanya Sommerlot as the new Head Cheer-Dance-Spirit Coach. Under the direction of Sommerlot, the program will be revamped to take a new route, gearing more towards dance performances and routines at home sporting events.
Sommerlot, owner of Tanya’s Studio of Dance for the past 21 years in Marshalltown, will revive the program after a one year hiatus. Sommerlot has an extensive background in dance instruction, technique, and choreography. A Marshalltown native, Sommerlot spent three years on the Marshalltown High School Dance Team, including two as a captain.
Sommerlot expressed her excitement for the opportunity to lead the program in a new direction. “There are so many dance studios that people commit most of their lives to, some from the young age of three years old up until they graduate high school. There are so many talented performers out there that have nowhere to continue their dance education after high school graduation. At MCC, they now have the opportunity to continue their passion for dance while at the same time they are pursuing a college degree.”
The Cheer-Dance-Spirit Team will perform at home MCC Men’s and Women’s Basketball games along with other school-related functions both on campus and within the Marshalltown community. An expected first performance is set for Jan. 9, 2016 as the men’s basketball team hosts Ellsworth Community College at 7:00 PM in the Student Activity Center.
MCC Director of Athletics Dan Huntley sees the hiring of Sommerlot as a step in the right direction to revamp the program. “We are excited to provide this opportunity to Tanya and our students on campus. We hope to move the program from the traditional cheer squad to a more performance dance squad that can bring more energy to our athletic events and showcase the talented students performing. We hope to elevate the support of the program so that they will be able to attend local, state, and national collegiate dance competitions.”
There will be an open meeting for all interested students at 7:00 PM on Sunday, Oct. 11 located in the Tiger Room (across from the Fitness Center) on the MCC campus. For more information regarding the program, please contact Tanya Sommerlot at tanya.sommerlot@iavalley.edu.
