This was the first year for Claremont Colleges to host their Winter Collegiate Showdown. For their inaugural event, it was a resounding success, with entries from colleges from all around the western United States. Claremont Ballroom Team director, Mr. Paul Roach, and competition coordinator Ms. Lauren Kinrich put together a professional, fun event that all the attendees enjoyed. The enthusiasm of the college kids was inspirational and fun for us to watch too! Many of the dancers had arrived the night before, dancing the night away at a fundraiser for the ballroom program, then competed throughout the day on Sat. and finished the night with an after hours dance! Whew! I noticed Red Bull was the preferred drink of the day, which must explain how they got through all of it and still had smiles on their faces.

The judging panel was headed by chairman of judges Mr. Trevor Luft, and included Mr. Andre Fortin, Ms. Carina Fourmyle and Mr. & Mrs. Erik & Melissa Cyr. Erik noted that after having judged some of the collegiate circuit events for a few years, the level of collegiate dancing has improved dramatically. There is more attention to technicality and a more serious approach to training. We’re happy to see these fresh faces so interested in ballroom dancing!

Besides a big contingent from host school Claremont, other notable entrants were Devil Dancesport, from ASU in Arizona and USC from Los Angeles.  Many competitors danced round after round in every style (note that this included American, International, and Nightclub styles), and some events even had semifinal prequalifications. It was quite a turnout for Claremont’s first effort.

Finishing the evening was an exceptional top level professional show, one of the finest at a collegiate comp in recent memory. Organizers Mr. Roach and Ms. Kinrich are to be commended for their desire to showcase two couples at the peak of their careers as an inspiration for the up and coming collegiate dancers. The couples featured were Slawek Sochacki & Marzena Stachura, who are currently 3rd in the United States Professional Open Smooth and Alexander Andreev & Irina Domokurova were are currently ranked 4th in the U.S. Rising Star International Latin. Sasha and Irina wowed the audience with a slick cha cha and fiery paso, while Slawek and Marzena brought the house to it’s feet their clever medley showdance, with which they recently place 2nd with at the Ohio Star Ball.

With such a successful run this year, the Claremont Ballroom program is sure to come back next year with another exceptional event showcasing these young enthusiastic dancers.