St. John's University Athletics
St. Johns Dance Team to Compete in National Competition
1/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Red Storm contingent will be among a group of 200 schools nationwide competing in what is the premier event for collegiate dance teams in the country. St. Johns will dance against 20 Division I schools.
Competition begins on Friday, and 10 teams will advance to the finals on Saturday.
Weve been working and training very hard for this competition since the school year began, first-year St. Johns head coach Christine McCarton said. I know were all excited for the trip and the chance to improve on last years finish (16th).
Ten members of the Red Storm team will be competing this weekend. The team members are junior Nicole Daversa (West Palm Beach, Fla.); junior Blaine Amato (Elmont, N.Y.); senior Hermisa Piti Rivera (Jersey City, N.J.); senior Victoria Bunatta (College Point, N.Y.); freshman Mary Gelow (Daytona Beach, Fla.); freshman Kellie Baldyga (Shelton, Conn.); sophomore Cristin Genzale (Smithtown, N.Y.); freshman Sarah Vitaliano (College Point, N.Y.); freshman Christy Loeb (College Point, N.Y.); sophomore Lesley Llerena (New Brunswick, N.J.) and freshman Tiffany Povinelli (Manhasset Hills, N.Y.).
The Red Storm took first place at the UDA Camp at Rutgers in August, topping a field of 10 teams, most of which will be competing this weekend.
We were disappointed last year, Daversa said. We know we can do better than that and with a new coach and a new team, we feel we can win the competition.
We have a young team, but most of our dancers are very talented and experienced, Amato said. Were really excited about the trip and the chance to represent the University.
The dance team will perform next on campus at halftime of the Villanova-St. Johns game on January 15 at Madison Square Garden.
For the most up-to-date information and statistics on St. Johns Athletics, please visit www.RedStormSports.com, or call our hotline at 1-888-GO-STORM.
