The NDSU Dance Team will compete at the Universal Dance Association’s 2009 College Dance Team National Championship on Jan. 17-18 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

The 13-member squad, coached by Katy Kowalski and Meghan Wabner, performs at NDSU athletic events, community functions and competitions. The team’s choreographer is Emily Schock.

The team knows it faces some tough competition during the event. “The sacrifice of time and money needs to translate to perfection while performing at nationals,” Wabner said.

The NDSU team will compete in the Division I section of the championships. They are one of 26 squads representing universities across the country. The team members hope to build upon last year’s success, when NDSU finished in fourth place.

Achieving that goal takes hard work and dedication. “We practiced more than 140 hours in the last two weeks to be prepared for our competition,” said captain Kallista Nilson, a sophomore from West Fargo.

Captain Amber Haugen, a senior from Alexandria, Minn., added, “We all have worked so hard, and I hope it shows at nationals.”

The NDSU Dance Team includes Kellie Case, a junior from Greenfield, Minn.; Alyssa Falvey, a freshman from Burnsville, Minn.; Heidi Guggenberger, a junior from Eagan, Minn.; Kelsey Hartsell, a sophomore from Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Haugen; Stephanie Mitchell, a sophomore from Blaine, Minn.; Katie Montag, a sophomore from Apple Valley, Minn.; Marissa Montgomery, a freshman from Woodbury, Minn.; Nilson; Kristen Oldyn, a freshman from Eagan, Minn.; Ashley Osterhues, a freshman from Eagan, Minn.; Lauren Semanko, a freshman from Fargo; and Arianne Woeste, a freshman from Elk River, Minn.