By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
A local youth dance team has found good fortune. The Muddy River Cloggers advanced team went to a nationals tournament at Lagoon Amusement Park at Farmington Utah on May 14-15 and came away winners.
“I am so proud of them! said Muddy River Cloggers coach Corinee Messer of Logandale. “They did so well, and danced their souls out!”
The Nationals tournament sponsored by America On-Stage hosted over 8,000 clogging dancers and competitors. This included teams and individual dancers from all over the western United States, including Utah, Idaho, California, Nevada, and more. The tournament even had competitors from Alaska.
There were five stages of the competition located at the north end of Lagoon. The theme park is hosting the nation’s largest combined clogging, jazz, ballet, and tap competitions.
“The tournament has multiple categories to compete in for both individuals and teams,” stated Messer. “There are solos, duets, a capella, freestyle, themed, and more. Our girls competed in the beginning small team open category.”
Each stage has three judges that assess performances on technical ability and artistic presentation. The scoring scale is done out of a total of 100 points for each judge.
“The girls were really nervous when we went on stage, but they started performing and danced with more energy than ever before,” said Messer. “When they were done we knew we had done good, but didn’t know if we had won. The girls, now more relaxed and excited, got to go ride the rides and enjoy Lagoon with family and each other.”
The competition continued on, open to all ages. “We saw dancers as young as three and others up in their golden elder ages,” said Messer. “It was so joyous to have the competition and for people to get together in person and celebrate such a wonderful tradition as clogging.”
After about 3 hours, the team received the news on the results of the judging. They had won 1st place in their division. This surprised and lifted their spirits, Messer said.
“They were all excited and couldn’t fully believe the news,” she said. “They really upped their clogging and came out on top.”
The members of the Advanced Level 4 Team are Kelsie Wagasky, Mackenzie Matheson, Faith Kelly, and Madilyn Marshall. All four are currently in middle school.
Messer has been teaching clogging for over 30 years and has been an influential dance instructor in Moapa Valley. Her Muddy River Cloggers are a constant performance group for local community events and more notably the Clark County Fair every year.
For more information about the Muddy River Cloggers and dance classes, contact Corinne Messer by email at corinneamesser@gmail.com.
