Cape Girardeau, Mo. (August 5, 2002) - Celebrating 30 years of on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, the Southeast Sundancers started the new school year in award winning style. They recently won two trophies and a bid to compete in the 2003 National Dance Alliance Collegiate Dance Team Championships. The national finals are held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida, and are broadcast on CBS. The Sundancers have finished in the top ten Division I teams four out of the last five years, and this year's team is already making progress toward that goal for the 2003 competition.

Twelve Southeast dancers recently attended the NDA regional Collegiate Dance Team Camp and Competition held at the University of Kansas on July 25-28. Leading the dance team were co-captains Jennifer Cox and Heather Cook. Both captains are in their junior year and have danced for the last two years.

In addition to earning the camp spirit stick, the Sundancers also won the coveted Most Spirited Team trophy. They won a second place trophy and earned a superior rating in the division I/IA team dance performance competition. They also earned a superior rating and blue ribbon in the style routine competition. The dancers learned and performed five dances while attending the four-day camp. They also participated in technique classes and individual competitions.

For the second year, Southeast sophomore Chela Rutlin won the Top Gun medallion for being the outstanding dancer in the 'Funk style' of dance.

For the third year, Southeast Heather Cook was named to the NDA Collegiate All-American Team. She was also a finalist in the Top Gun competition in outstanding dance leaps and turns. During the awards ceremony, Cook had the distinction of being given an invitation to apply for a teaching position on the NDA staff.

Acting as director for the Southeast team during camp was Darcy Morgan. She currently directs the Chaffee High School dance team. Darcy danced on the original Southeast dance team in 1972. After four days of camp with the Southeast team she was proud of the results.

"I look forward to seeing this outstanding group of dancers cheer for Southeast games and perform with the Golden Eagles Marching Band. Their spirit is contagious and their impressive dance skills will add energy and excitement to many school events throughout the year."