Bethel’s residence halls go head-to-head for the Homecoming Cup without Getsch, Commuters or physical contact.
By Rachel Blood, news reporter, and Ariel Dunleavy, Clarion Correspondent
Trey Adelsman somersaulted across the stage of Benson Great Hall Wednesday, a panel of judges watching every heel click, hair flip and headbang. All rehearsals had led up to this moment: the annual homecoming men’s dance competition. Nelson Hall had a reputation to uphold.
Nelson choreographer CeCelia Simmonds, a senior biochem major, treated her team of 13 freshmen like a competitive dance team.
“They’re just killing it, and they love it,” she said. “I think they got it in the bag, because never have I seen men’s dance so clean compared to how these boys are dancing.”
In the past, causes for point deduction have included covering up faces and hall shirts. Disqualifications result from any inappropriate moves. This year, COVID guidelines prohibit dancers from touching. Nelson Hall was disqualified when Simmonds was a freshman and she hoped it wouldn’t happen again Wednesday night. Simmonds hoped to uphold Nelson’s homecoming-winning streak and have fun in the process.
Adelsman has dance experience from various musical theater performances: Narnia and Annie with the Young Artists Initiative and Oliver and Eurydice with Nova Classical Academy in St. Paul. He wanted to do Men’s Dance when he saw it as a PSEO student last year but was too busy.
“I think that the only chance we have of losing is if the judges just lie,” Adelsman said, “because there’s no way that we’re going to lose, because we are the best. Our moves are the best. Nelson is the best, so we kind of have to win.”
Adelsman said Simmonds is the reason Nelson is going to win this year.
“His energy is infectious,” Simmonds said about Adelsman. “That’s why I love him in the front row. He just brings the energy and gets the rest of the guys all riled up.”
The sight of her men’s dance team eating lunch together the day after a rehearsal warmed her heart.
Every time Simmonds is stressed, she remembers that it’s worth it. In the end, she gets to see boys who came in shy bond and end up confident.
Emcees Morgan Day and Tarra Snyder kicked off Wednesday’s event by introducing a judge panel including Admissions Director Bret Hyder, Manager of Stewardship Laura Hyder, Athletic Recruiter Spencer Hinseth, Professor of Media Communication Ripley Smith and Dean of Student Programs Miranda Powers.
Lissner’s team of five started off the competition with a medley of radio favorites. Next up was Nelson with a “Mission Impossible” introduction followed by “Lost in the Woods,” which Simmonds described as a “modern day boy band ballad” with incorporated TikTok dances.
Edgren hit the stage with rolled-up sleeves and jammed to the Jackson 5. They included a contact-free kickline and a somersault finale. Arden’s team of 15 followed with a mashup of the Little Einsteins theme and “Centipede,” featuring one team member walking on his hands.
North Village opened its set with the sounds of Elvis Presley.
“I have been trying to get North to be the best that they’ve ever been,” said Carter Nelson, North Village sophomore and homecoming captain. “I feel like everyone was kinda on the same playing field this year.”
“This is a super fun thing that BSG puts on,” Nelson said. “If I can do anything to help that and get people in North hyped up more than they ever have been, especially in the pandemic, I’m gonna do it.” Nelson feels North Village has a good chance of victory. “We brought what we could with the amount of time that we have,” he said.
Heritage performed a jacket-clad rendition of Jesse McCartney’s “Beautiful Soul.” Bodien’s relationship-focused remix was broken up with High School Musical’s “The Boys are Back” and “I Don’t Dance.” Getsch Hall and the Commuter team were notably absent due to lack of participants.
Results will be announced Saturday afternoon. Until then, competitors and choreographers alike will hope, wait, and hope some more.
