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Mount Ayr Record-News, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Drill team wins state pom comp
Strutting their stuff in the pom division of the state drill team competition are the 10 members of the Mount Ayr
Community high school Sparks. The girls won the pom division and placed second in the kick division in the state
competition -- the first time the girls have scored heigher than third. Team members include from front row, from
left: April SHIELDS, Taylor LYNCH, Megan DOUBLEDAY. Second row, from left: Madison HOSFIELD, Kylie WILSON and
Allison WALLACE. Third row, from left: Logan WIMER, Caitlin GILES, Maggie JENNETA, Ashton JOHNSON.
First time MACHS girls have placed better than third in state competition
The Mount Ayr Community's Sparks drill team competed in theIowa State Drill team competition held in Wells Fargo Arena
in Des Moines on December 1, bringing home state awards. The state of Iowa hosts the largest drill team competition
in the nation. There were over 270 high school teams in this year's competition. There were six divisions based on
school size. In the pom category alone, there were over 110 routines. The Mount Ayr Community's Sparks accomplished
something special as the team captured the first place trophy as the top pom squad in their division. This is the first
time a drill team from Mount Ayr Community has ever placed higher than third in state competition. The Sparks also
garnered the runner-up trophy in the kick division to cap off an exciting day. The Drill Team Association also presents
academic awards to the participating teams. Teams receive an excellence in academic award for a cumulative grade point
average of 3.0-3.49 and a distinguished academic award for a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 to 4.0.
Mount Ayr Community received the distinguished award for posting a cumulative GPA of 3.85. The head coach of the Mount
Ayr Community Sparks is Jill WEEHLER. Coach WEEHLER pointed out that Deb LYNCH, Amy LEVINE and Amy WOOD also helped with
the squad this year. Coach WEEHLER recognized her captains and co-captains this year and praised the team's hard work,
dedication and team cohesiveness this year. She also was appreciative to the staff, student body, fellow coaches,
parents and entire community for all the support she and the Sparks receive throughout the year.
The members of this year's squad are: Taylor LYNCH, Megan DOUBLEDAY, Kylie WILSON, Maggie JENNETT, Allison WALLACE,
Ashton JOHNSON, Madison HOSFIELD, Caitlin GILES, Logan WIMER and April SHIELDS. The Mount Ayr Sparks will
perform their winning routine at the half of the Mount Ayr-Bedford boys basketball game on Friday, Dec. 9.
Mount Ayr Record-News, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Drill team to dance at state, appear on TV
Mount Ayr Community high school's Sparks drill team has been invited to perform at half-time at the state tournament
and will be on television in early February. The Sparks have been asked to perform at half-time during the Tuesday,
Feb. 28 11:45 a.m. game at the girls state tournament. The Iowa High School Girls Athletic Association selects
outstanding dance teams across Iowa to provide the half-time entertainment. This is the first year that the Mount Ayr
Sparks have been asked to perform. The 2012 ISDTA Championships where the girls brought home two top placings will
be aired on IPTV on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 8 to 10 p.m. and rebroadcast on Sunday, Feb. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. The two-hour
championship show will show edits of all of the championship routines along with special features about the new dance
exhibit at the Iowa Hall of Pride, ISDTA's involvement in the Exercising Your Character Program, and interviews with
two of the judges.
Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2012
To submit your Ringgold County items, contact
The County Coordinator.
Please include the word "Ringgold" in the subject line. Thank you.
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