Newest Addition to the Simpson Spirit Program

By Madison Thill

This season, the Simpson University spirit program has added a dance team to its roster, welcoming new athletes to the program, along with some familiar faces.  

Dance Team - Photo Credit: Roseline Lemette

This season, the Simpson University spirit program has added a dance team to its roster, welcoming new athletes to the program, along with some familiar faces.  

One of the returning athletes who is now a part of the dance team is Elisa Heidebrecht. Heidebrecht has been dancing since she was 6 years old.  

“Ever since I was on the cheer team during our inaugural year, we were dreaming with coach Niki about starting a dance team,” Heidebrecht said. “So, it’s fulfilling to see this dream come to fruition.” 

As a whole, the program, including coach Niki Burbank and her athletes, has wanted a dance team since the cheer team was formed in 2022. Coach Niki says the idea for dance has always been on her mind, but she realized it was feasible after attending competitions and watching other schools.  

Coach Niki says that managing the dance team can be, “...a lot because I want to be fully invested in cheer. But at the same time, dance is a passion of mine, so I feel very blessed to be able to get it started here and watch it grow.”  

A big part of it for her is being able to use her full choreographing abilities and expend a lot of energy on the dance team.  

This new side of the spirit program has expanded and highlighted more talented athletes.  

The dance team participates on the sidelines at sporting events, similar to the cheer team, but with different material, style, and goals. The team also hopes to perform competitively this season at NAIA dance competitions. 

 You can see them at home for the first time at Saturday’s football game. Start time is 7 p.m. at Foothill High School.  

(left to right) Anastasia Hartman, Lily Standen, Kaedyn Bunn, Brooke Hewatt, Elisa Heidebrecht