Strictly Ballroom: Club Sports Team Heads to National Competition

Ballroom and Latin Dance club practicing

Feet...

...and hands

Working on the steps

Dress for success

Feeling the rhythm

Sway

Latin style

Remember to smile

Ready for Ohio Star

Photo Submitted

Partners practice their ballroom dance steps

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ten members of the University of Arkansas Ballroom and Latin Dance club will take to the floor this weekend at the top collegiate ballroom dancing competition in the country: the Ohio Star Ball in Columbus, Ohio.

The club, part of the University Recreation sports club program, was started in 2009, but this is the first time members have entered the U.S.  National Collegiate Competition, where they will join dancers from 47 different colleges and universities.

The club members have been meeting twice a week at the HPER building to work with instructor Brandy Gillam Bangs, learning and practicing the steps they will be take to Columbus. The six women and four men will compete Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18, in Latin and standard ballroom styles.

Obviously, some of the men will dance with more than one partner, but so will one of the women, club president Laurelyn Ramoly. She will take the lead for a standard dance, then partner with Tom Shinn, the club’s most experienced dancer, for the Latin competition.

Ramoly, Shinn and the other team members -- Sara Ping, Amy Ricter, Ethan Glaess, Rachael Chase, Ricky Nolen, Donna Freeman, Emily Claire O'Neal and Chris Deal – will be leaving for Ohio on Thursday.

But anyone who wants to know how they are doing can follow their progress on Twitter @uaBallroomClub or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/arkansasballroom.

Students interested in joining the Ballroom and Latin Dance club, or any club sport can get more information at http://imrs.uark.edu/.