Missouri State University

After successful and competitive spring tryouts, Missouri State University has announced the members of the Sugar Bears dance team and Boomer's Crew mascot team for the 2010-11 year.

According to Sugar Bears' coach Susan Brown, about 45 candidates competed for the 16 squad positions during the spring audition, April 24-25.

"I am excited about our newest squad of very talented dancers," Brown said. "This was one of the toughest auditions in years."

The 2010-11 Sugar Bears are: Alejandra Smith, Allison Taylor, Amanda Diven, Carolyn Kelch, Chrissy Townsend, Elizabeth Kreher, Emily Tod, Katie Staihr, Kayla Kimminau, Landyn Harris, Lauren Kitson, Lauren Pohle, Megan Abbate, Sara Clayton, Sara Fuchs, and Taryn Figg.

In addition to performing at all home football and basketball games, the Sugar Bears practice an average of 10 hours per week and work to fundraise the dollars necessary to cover the cost of the competition and other squad benefits. The squad has received a paid bid to the last five College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, held every January in Orlando, Fla. Missouri State has placed in the top 10 in the nation the past 11 years, including a fifth-place finish in the 2010 Division 1 Hop-Hop division.

Those filling the Boomer's Crew mascot positions for the upcoming year are: Alex Johnson, Ashley Ross, Brandt Shields, Chase Thompson, and Kim Redd.