News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 1/17/03   Click on image for publication quality photo LIONETTES THIRD IN NATION -- Southeastern Louisiana University’s dance team, the Lionettes, placed third in Division I of the 2003 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla., January 10-11 Their award-winning performance will be broadcast on ESPN television later this year. From left, front, are Kim Dottolo, Ponchatoula, co-captain; Crystal Canepa, Meraux, captain; Erin Anderson, Amite, co-captain; back,  Tara Bordelon, Chalmette; Andrea Zummo, Loranger; Heather Canepa, Meraux; Angela Nassar, Convent; Alicia Oalmann, Meraux; Christi Parker, French Settlement; Jessy Shaw, Slidell; Elizabeth LeBlanc, Zachary, and Amanda Baldo, Kenner.  SOUTHEASTERN LIONETTES PLACE THIRD IN NATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION       HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University Lionette Dance Team earned third place honors at the 2003 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla., January 10-11.       In only their third year of national Universal Cheerleaders Association/Universal Dance Association competition, the Southeastern dancers vied with teams from 27 other universities in the category for NCAA Division I schools. As one of the top three finishers in the division, they will appear on national sports network ESPN’s broadcast of the competition, said the dance team’s director, Melissa Bordelon.       “We are so proud of the tremendous strides the Lionette have made, going from last place out of 13 teams in 2001; to eighth place out of 19 teams last year, to third out of 27 teams in 2003,” Bordelon said. She attributed the dancers’ success to the team's focus on technique, conditioning and performance ability.          “We knew what it took to get this far and we know what it takes to move up to first,” Bordelon said. “Our commitment to improve our technique, conditioning and performance ability and the support of the university, Lionette alumni and parents enabled our girls to reach this level.”       The Lionettes who brought the national honor back to Southeastern are Captain Crystal Canepa, Meraux; Co-captains Erin Anderson, Amite, and Kim Dottolo, Ponchatoula; Andrea Zummo, Loranger; Christi Parker, French Settlement; Jessy Shaw, Slidell; Heather Canepa and Alicia Oalmann, also of Meraux; Amanda Baldo, Kenner; Tara Bordelon, Chalmette; Angela Nassar, Convent; and Elizabeth LeBlanc, Zachary.       “It was a dream come true,” said Anderson, a graduating senior who has participated in all three years of competition. “We all grew up watching these competitions on television. We never thought it would be us and now it is.”       Bordelon said the Lionettes plan to perform their award-winning routine for fans at an upcoming Lions basketball game at the Southeastern University Center. “We’re also planning to invite everyone to get together with us for a ‘viewing party’ when the competition is aired on ESPN,” she said. The team has not yet been notified of the broadcast date.      The Lionettes’ winning performance had a “spider” theme and was danced to music from the recent box office hit, “Spiderman”; No Doubts’ “Walking in a Spiderweb”; Alice Cooper’s “Black Widow” and a rap version of “Ittsy Bittsy Spider.” Captain Crystal Canepa designed the troupe’s costumes. The Lionettes worked with choreographer Liz Piccoli.       Teams must submit an unedited video of one of their routines to be considered for the competition. The Lionettes placed fourth out of the 27 teams in the initial bid ranking. Teams are judged on communication and projection, choreography, group execution, dance technique and overall effect.       Two dozen Lionette alumni, family and friends accompanied the team to the Florida competition. “We want to specially thanks to all of our Lionette fans for helping to make this victory possible,” Bordelon said.       Bordelon said the Lionettes worked this year with Southeastern kinesiology professor Dan Hollander to get in top condition for competition. “Dan has been making recommendations to us throughout so that we could keep the girls healthy and safe and increase their conditioning level,” Bordelon said.        “Dancers and cheerleaders are some of the most versatile and powerful athletes that we are training today,” said Hollander. “It’s amazing what they can do.”       He said the Lionettes’ condition program began with a fitness assessment for each dancer and included a running program of more than two miles four times a week and an exercise program that targeted areas such as stamina and flexibility.       Bordelon said dancers interested in becoming Lionettes can participate in the team’s annual “Lionette Warmup” on February 8, an event that will prepare them for tryouts on April 2-5. For information, contact Bordelon at  985-549-5678 or lionettes@selu.edu. More information about the UCA/UDA competition is available at www.varsity.com. Return to News Releases