UT Tyler Patriot Dancers recognized at collegiate camp

The Patriot Dancers are a competitive dance team that performs at all home athletics events.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Patriot Dancers team was recognized at the 2012 University Dance Association Collegiate Camp held at Texas State University in San Marcos.

The team earned the ‘Most Collegiate’ Award, and they placed in the top three in the fight song competition. About 20 teams from Texas and around the country participated this year.

The University of Texas at Tyler

Patriot Dancers – Top row from left: Celinda Connolley, Christina Dodd, Emily Auth. Bottom from left: Lauren Marvin, Katrina Flores, Sarah Leonard (Not Pictured: Hannah Martindale)

“I’m so proud of everything the team accomplished at camp, especially the ‘Most Collegiate’ award, which is chosen by the UDA staff and represents the team who showed the most all around collegiate spirit,” said Jessica Reel, UT Tyler Patriot Dancers coach. “This award is only given to one team from each division and puts the Patriot Dancers on par with exceptional teams like the University of Oklahoma and University of Texas pom squads. This is a very talented group of women, and they have set the bar high for the upcoming season.”

Members, listed by hometown with classification, are: HALLSVILLE – Christina Dodd, freshman; NORTHLAKE – Celinda Connolley, freshman; ROCKWALL – Emily Auth, freshman;

WHITE OAK – Lauren Marvin, junior; WHITEHOUSE – Katrina Flores, Hannah Martindale and Sarah Leonard, juniors.

The team learned 10 routines and were evaluated on nine routines individually and one routine as a group. UT Tyler participants also earned blue ribbons for their individual evaluations, and the team earned a blue ribbon for the fight song evaluation.

The Patriot Dancers are a competitive dance team that performs at all home athletics events as well as on campus in the community. As part of the UT Tyler Spirit Squads, they also promote patriot spirit and represent the university within the community by service and leadership.