Fallon Swing Competition Ballroom Team coaches and choreographers from left are Joseph Sorensen, Suzette Benecke, Debbie Edwards, Karen Horne and Jef Horne.
The Fallon Swing Competition Ballroom Team brought home two first-place trophies from the 2017 Gem State Classic in Idaho Falls, Idaho from March 23-25.
The Gem State Classic hosts the national championship for youth team showdance.
“I originally started coaching for Fallon Swing nine years ago, choreographing and rehearsing the ‘Kidz Team’ ages 8-12,” said Suzette Benecke. “All these years my dancers have looked up to the champion ‘Competition Team’ with awe, longing for their own day in the sun. To be able to witness them reach their goal with not just one but two national championships was a dream come true for all of us.”
The Fallon team earned the following:
National Formation Show Dance Championships
1st place — Youth Lift Division, Bolero
1st place — Youth Smooth Standard Division, Anastasia
The dancers also brought home 24 ribbons and trophies from the Gem State Classic Syllabus Competition. Awardees included the following:
Jayden Wassmuth & Teagan Dill — 3rd in Junior Newcomer Swing
Madison Blea & Davis Benecke — 3rd in Youth Bronze Cha Cha
Davis Benecke & Jordan Medrano — 4th in Youth Bronze Foxtrot
Samuel Sorensen & Meagan Trinidad — 5th in Junior Bronze Rumba and 3rd in Junior Bronze Quick Step
Mari Elena Sorensen & Jefrey Archer Horne — 5th in Youth Bronze Rumba
Andrew Kelsey & Maria Whitaker — 6th in Youth Bronze Foxtrot
Spencer Knight & Abbey Pike — 7th in Youth Newcomer Swing
Youth Bronze Quick Step
Timothy Shurtliff & Maria Whitaker — 1st
Jefrey Horne & Madison Blea — 4th
Davis Benecke & Mari Elena Sorensen — 5th
Joshua Schie & Jennifer Marshall — 6th