The Wartburg College Dance Team hopes to reach a new level at the annual Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Championship Dec. 6.

The dance team placed in the top six in recent years in the pom division and seventh in jazz, but has an advantage this year in the competition at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines because of a shift in divisions. 

Wartburg previously competed with schools offering scholarships to dancers, but this year will be up against teams that share a similar level of skill and competitiveness.

“St. Ambrose is always a top contender,” said Kendra Oswald, head coach of the Wartburg Dance Team. “It has an especially strong program, giving out scholarships to attract the dancers for its team. Other teams don’t have that advantage. I believe that this division change will have a positive impact.”

With a good crop of freshmen and some strong returning members — as well as participating in a smaller division — Wartburg has its eyes on a top trophy.

“The team is very talented. We are seeing growth each year, and this year we are especially excited about what we have to work with. But we still have a lot of work to do,” Oswald said.

The dance team will offer a dress rehearsal of its state routines during the halftimes of the Buzz Levick Basketball Tournament Nov. 15 in Levick Arena. The team will perform a jazz routine at the 6 p.m. game and pom at the 8 p.m. game.

“The fans are what really drive us. To have the student body cheering and enjoying the performances is our main goal,” Oswald said.