Mesquite Marshals Darling Deputies Auditions & New Director

 

MMC Flyer

The Champions Indoor Football league has a new team, the Mesquite Marshals, and a cheerleading squad, the Mesquite Marshals Darling Deputies!

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The Darling Deputies Director is Maya Hayes. Maya is the owner of StarFire Productions, LLC and a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and Dallas Mavericks Dancer.

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Maya is understandably excited about the new squad. She promises this will be a great mentor driven team that can launch dancers to the top of the pro sports dance world.

[StarFireProdctionsPro.com]

Get Fit like a Mavs Dancer: Inside Their Workout Routine

By Kimber Westphall
DallasNews.com

Although the calendar is on the cusp of wintery, frosty months, temperatures are rising in the American Airlines Center. With NBA season comes the Dallas Mavericks dance team. And it’s no secret the Mavs dancers have stellar physiques. In order to keep in tip top shape, donning the tiny uniforms, the Mavs dancers have discovered some of the best training techniques in the fitness arena. We got an exclusive look into the Mavs dancers’ exercise training rituals.

When the Mavs dancers are performing center court, it’s not just about the hair flip. It involves every muscle in the body, especially the core. But when the dancers aren’t shaking it with their latest dance number, they focus on tightening up the core with planks. Challenge them with any variation of planks and they have it mastered.

One of their favorite variations is a plank with hip dips side to side. This move is easily replicated at home. No gym membership or equipment required. The dancers recommend doing three sets of 10 hip dips on each side.

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To complement a set of cut, slender abs is a nice caboose. Another one of the Mavs dancers’ favorite workouts doesn’t involve spending one penny. One-leg glute lifts are a sure-fire way to get the booty burning, while getting it high and tight. With the planted leg slightly bent, the opposite leg lifts straight back, leading with the heel. To complete the move, one can hold onto a wall or concentrate on engaging the core for increased stability and balance. As pop culture has placed a concentration on the derrière, this is often a zone women wish to enhance with some hard work and sweat. The squad recommends eight to 10 lifts on each side, three times through.

And in the same region, the legs mustn’t go without some exercise attention. All one needs for this move is a stepping stool or even a staircase. One of the dancers’ favorite variations of the good ol’ fashion lunge is adding an elevated knee. With one foot on the step, lunge straight back and then lift the free leg up towards the chest with the knee bent. Not only is this giving the quadriceps and hamstrings an ample workout, the core is engaging for balance, getting an extra workout too. Three is the magic number again. The women find that three sets of 10 on each side does the trick.

And moving up the body, those arms require sculpting attention too. One of the team’s favorite moves involves an exercise band that can be purchased at any athletic equipment store. But the band isn’t a necessity for this move. It can always be executed with dumbbells or even soup cans that are already nestled in the pantry.

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Upright rows are the dancers’ go-to moves for shoulders and arms. Depending on the weight or resistance of the band, eight to 10 reps are recommended, three times through.

So with these tips from the Mavs dancers themselves, sculpted limbs can be stashed under bulky holiday sweaters this winter. Just because the layers pile up, doesn’t mean the gym routine goes flat.

Former Blinn Dance Team Captain Joins Dallas Mavericks Dancers

From KBTX.com

Blinn College alumna Hayley Webb may have discovered her talent for dance before she knew her multiplication tables, but she credits her time at Blinn College for helping her turn her passion in to a career.
Webb was drawn to the Blinn College – Brenham campus in 2011 for its award-winning Treasures dance team. After her freshman year, Webb was named captain in 2012. Blinn placed second at the annual National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals in Daytona, Fla. in both her freshman and sophomore years.

“I loved the dance team at Blinn College,” Webb said. “It was a really great two years to grow as a dancer and as a student, too. When you’re involved with athletics you have to always be on your “A” game. Our coaches and instructors made sure we had access to tutoring and that we stayed on top of assignments.”

A dancer since the third grade, Webb said Blinn opened her eyes to a different kind of competitive dance. In high school, her dance team would feature eight routines during competitions, but at Blinn, the team only had one shot to take home a victory.

“We learned one routine and practiced it for six or seven months,’ Webb said. “It was hard, but I loved it. It’s kind of like trying to win one game for a national championship. Everyone was giving it their all.”

After two years at Blinn, Webb transferred to the University of Louisville, where she joined the Ladybirds dance team and studied exercise science. She then transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington to be closer to home. She expects to earn her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in May 2015.

This summer, Webb auditioned and was selected for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers. After more than a week of the grueling tryout process, including a freestyle routine, several new routines and an interview process, Webb was chosen to the team of 20 dancers from 300 women who auditioned.

“I was extremely nervous,” Webb said. “I tried to keep to myself and just stay focused. I’ve watched the Dallas Mavericks since I was little and have always admired the dancers. I can’t wait to be one of them. I am so thankful for my dance coach at Blinn, Sarah Barland, for always inspiring me and pushing me to become a better dancer. She’s been a blessing to me and my dance career.”

Barland said Webb was a great motivator, a hard worker and a beautiful dancer.

“She made practice fun, but also knew when it was time to work,” Barland said. “I had a great two years with Hayley and I know she’s going to make a wonderful Mavericks dancer.”

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 29 NJCAA national championships since 1987, including national championships in cheer and dance last season.

DFW.com 2014 Hot Issue

By Jay Betsill
Special to DFW.com
September 4, 2014

It took a while. At the tail end of a cooler-than-usual summer, August made up for lost time: The sweltering heat and humidity that we have all come to expect finally arrived and put some sizzle in our summer. Since DFW has a well-deserved reputation for being so hot, this is when we celebrate all things that go along with summertime here, including some of the hottest people in the area at some of the coolest locations the Metroplex has to offer.

This year’s bevy of “it” women and men is a nod to the sports-obsessed nature of North Texas: You’ll meet a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, an NBA dancer, an Ice Angel, a former Indianapolis Colts cheerleader and a former Dallas Stars Ice Girl. We even have a beautiful woman who once played football herself and now owns her own business that specializes in helping DFW residents join “Team Sexy.”

[Click here to read the article in its entirety]

Vivian Ralena
Born: Riverside, Calif.
Current city: Denton
Day job: Dance instructor, second-year veteran of the Allen Americans Ice Angels and full-time student at UNT
Dream job: An inspirational speaker for adolescent teenagers who are going through hard times and need guidance
People may recognize you from: I actually get recognized a lot in public from the CMT show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, which I have been on the past two years.
Interesting fact about you: I love to write, especially poetry.

[Click here for the rest of Vivian’s profile and more photos]

Tessa David
Born: Bloomington, Ind.
Current city: Dallas
Day job: Executive administrative assistant for Blume Architecture and BSN Sports
Dream job: Own my own wellness center. I’ve always wanted to start my own dance studio that is geared more towards workout-type dance for the moms while their children take dance classes. Now I would like it to be even more than that and I want it to have a cryotherapy machine, nutritionist and many other things that would help a person develop a very balanced, healthy life.
People may recognize you from: I had the privilege of being an NFL cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts for five years, which provided so many memorable and amazing opportunities, including getting to perform at Super Bowl 44! After moving to the Dallas area, I spent one season with the Allen Americans Ice Angels.

[Click here for the rest of Tessa’s profile and more photos]

Sequel Molina
Born: Fort Worth
Current city: Dallas
Day job: Administrative assistant at HEB Dental Excellence
Dream job: Working with orphaned chimpanzees. I recently saw a documentary on the Discovery Channel and I think they are the cutest things ever.
People may recognize you from: I am heading into my fifth season as an NBA dancer (for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers). My family had season tickets to the NBA when I was growing up and after being a cheerleader in high school, I knew this was my next step. The coolest aspect of being an NBA dancer is being on the court in front of a sold-out arena. It is definitely a major adrenaline rush.
Interesting fact about you: Sequel really is my name, not a nickname … I promise! (Editor’s note: Her parents named her Sequel because she was their second child.)

[Click here for the rest of Sequel’s profile and more photos]

Chelsea Chaney
Born: Merkel
Current city: Dallas
Day job: Bridal stylist
Dream job: Host my own national TV talk show about the lifestyle world similar to my blog, ChelseaChaney.com. My first guests on the show would be Ellen DeGeneres, Taylor Swift and Chris Pratt.
People may recognize you from: The 2012-13 NFL season, when I was a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
How would you describe your season as one of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders? I had a fantastic time on the squad, made a lot of great friends. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and for me it was an opportunity to live out my dream of a small-town girl in the big city.
Interesting fact about you: I am borderline diabetic so I can’t eat sugar. Growing up, there was never any candy or Coke in the house.

[Click here for the rest of Chelsea’s profile and more photos]

Mercedes Owens
Born: Tulsa, Okla.
Current city: Dallas
Day job: Sports reporter for D210TV on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel. I cover the Dallas Cowboys, SMU football and SMU basketball.
Do you have any special experiences from your time as a sports reporter that stand out? As an SMU alum, having the chance to work in the same environment as a legend like head basketball coach Larry Brown last season is something I will never forget. I also did some fan-reaction interviews during the Mavs playoffs against the Spurs, and I filled in for the D210 entertainment reporter last summer, and I interviewed Marlon Wayans for A Haunted House 2. This summer I began covering the Cowboys on draft night and have continued through camp and will do the home games this season at AT&T Stadium.
Dream job: I want to host a national sports show and be the “Chelsea Handler of sports.”
Who would your first guests be on your show? I’d have a panel of four with LeBron James, Doc Rivers, Dez Bryant and Kevin Hart.
People may recognize you from: I was a Dallas Stars Ice Girl for the past two seasons.
Best feature: My sense of humor. I love to laugh and make people laugh. I am definitely a jokester.

[Click here for the rest of Mercedes’s profile and more photos]

Dallas Mavericks Dancers 2014-15 roster announced

By Jay Betsill
Special to DFW.com
July 27, 2014

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks Dancers followed their weekend of preliminary auditions and final auditions at the Hilton Anatole with a four-day training camp at Elevation Fitness in downtown Dallas. When Thursday evening’s session came to a close, the Mavs Dancers had selected their team for the upcoming NBA season.

[Photo Gallery]

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The training camp featured the 37 ladies who had advanced through the weekend auditions and this gave the judges an opportunity for an up close look at each of the candidates. In addition to learning new choreography and showing the judges how quickly they could pick it up, each of the ladies had to go through a personal interview with Mavs personnel on why they should be a member of the dance team.

Of the 14 returning veterans, five of them are auditioning for their fifth season with the team and they know how important training camp is for the success of the team. It is also Mavs Dancers director Mallory Mills fifth season at the helm of the popular dance team.

“The first time I auditioned, I advanced to training camp and I didn’t really know anyone going in,” said returning veteran Lauren. “So I know how anxious the candidates are and I make sure that they know I am here to help them in any way I can. When the week is over, you realize that actually turns into a great team bonding experience because we are going through it together.”

When Thursday evening arrived, each of the ladies performed one of the routines they had learned during camp and the judges left for final deliberations. Mills returned with a handful of envelopes that she individually handed out to all 37 ladies. The main instruction she gave was that the envelopes were not to be opened until they had left the building as to avoid anyone celebrating in front of someone who had just seen their dream come to a sudden end.

Upon opening the envelopes, 20 of the 37 ladies discovered they had been summoned back to Elevation Fitness for instructions to yet another round of auditions. They returned and gathered around Mills to discover that they had made the team. A celebration ensued and tears of joy were wept among the ladies who had survived the audition process to perform at the Mavs home games at American Airlines Center and represent the team at corporate appearances and in the community.

The 2014-15 Dallas Mavericks Dancers are: Veterans Paige, Bonnie, Emily M., Lauren, Sequel, Ashley, Kathryn, Kennedy, Amy, Alexis, Amber and Kassandra and rookies Elise, Kelli, Jamie, Hayley, Jovann, Emily V., Dejanae and Hunter.

Legends Dancers Receive Call-Up to Mavericks, Cowboys

From The Texas Legends Website:

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have announced their 2013-14 roster which includes a former Texas Legends Dancer.

Courtni Wedeman was a member of the 2012-13 Legends Dance Team directed by Jen Contreras and Next Step Dance. This was Courtni’s first season as a Legends’ dancer as she made the team straight out of Texas Tech University. While at Tech, Courtni was a member of the Red Raider Pom Squad.

To make the team, the ladies had to survive multiple rounds of auditions before being invited to “DCC Training Camp” where the final cuts were made.

Jen Contreras, a former Maverick Dancer, has been the team’s Director since the first season while also teaching classes at Next Step. “We are extremely proud of all of our girls getting call-ups this off season. Courtni has been an incredible addition to the Legends’ squad but we are so happy to see her take that step and perform on such a large stage” said Contreras.


The Dallas Mavericks Dance Team has announced the 2013-14 roster, which includes two former Texas Legends dancers.

Amy Boyer and Kass Armendariz were both members of the 2012-13 Legends Dance Team directed by Jen Contreras and Next Step Dance. Amy completed her second season with the Legends while it was the first for Kass. The girls were put through two rounds of auditions before being accepted into Training Camp where the final cuts were made yesterday for next season’s team.

Jen Contreras, a former Maverick Dancer, has been the team’s Director since the first season while also teaching classes at Next Step. “Like our basketball team we strive to train our girls with the goal in mind of getting that call up. We’re very proud of Kass and Amy and excited to watch them on that stage next season” said Contreras.

Sasha here, if I may butt in for just a moment, the Dallas Stars Ice Girls have also snapped up two members of last year’s Legends team for this year’s squad. Congrats to Belinda Linker and DeAmber Houston-Dailey!

Dallas Mavericks Dancers 2013-14 roster announced

Once again – SPOILER alert – for fans of “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.” A few dancers who made it to DCC training camp but were later eliminated have been selected to the Mavs. If you don’t want to know, don’t look!

By Jay Betsill
Special to DFW.com
July 20, 2013

The week-long process of the 2013-14 Dallas Mavericks Dancers auditions began on Saturday morning with over 200 hopeful ladies on hand at the Hilton Anatole hotel and ended with 22 being named to the team. For the 40 ladies who survived Saturday’s multiple cuts to return on Sunday, they were met by the 14 returning veterans who had to re-audition for their spot on the team.

34 ladies — including all 14 vets — moved on to training camp which took place Monday-Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at Elevation Fitness in downtown Dallas.

[photos from training camp]

The ladies also had to schedule an interview with the Mavs personnel including fourth-year director Mallory Mills. The rookies are asked a variety of topics including time commitment and why they think they will be a good candidate to represent the Dallas Mavericks organization. Veterans were quizzed about leadership, the ways they can improve for next season and what they want to accomplish as a team.

Thursday evening was the last chance for the ladies to impress the judges. Most of them arrived at Elevation Fitness over an hour early for some final preparation on the three routines they had learned since Sunday. After several times through each routine in different groups, the judges left to deliberate. While the discussions lasted about 15 minutes, it felt like an eternity to the ladies who were awaiting word on if they would be performing in front of 20,000 fans at the Mavs home games at American Airlines Center.

Mills emerged with a stack of envelopes bearing each hopefuls name. She instructed each of them to leave the building prior to opening their envelope as the audition process was over. This also prevents someone from celebrating making the team in front of someone whose dream has just come to an end.

When the final envelope was passed out, 22 ladies received word that they were now a Mavs Dancer. The talent level was so high that they kept two more ladies than originally planned and two of the 14 returning veterans did not make this year’s team.

The final roster of the 2013-14 Dallas Mavericks Dancers is: Veterans – Chantel, Meghan, Lauren, Paige, Paula, Sequel, Taelor, Kirshae, Emily, Ashley, Casie and Bonnie. Rookies: Alexis, Amber, Amy, Crystal, Duyen , Kassandra, Kathryn, Kelly, Kennedy and Kristina.



Alexis (rookie)


Amber (rookie, former Golden State Warrior Girl, former 2013 Cowboys Cheerleader training camper or finalist. One of the two. I don’t remember.)


Amy (rookie, former Texas Legends Dancer)


Ashley (2nd year veteran)


Bonnie (4th year veteran)


Casie (3rd year veteran)


Chantel (3rd year veteran)


Crystal (rookie, former 2013 Cowboys Cheerleader training camper or finalist. One of the two. I don’t remember.)


Duyen (rookie, former Houston Texans Cheerleader)


Emily (4th year veteran)


Kassandra (rookie, former Texas Legends Dancer)


Kathryn (rookie, former 2013 Cowboys Cheerleader training camper)


Kelly (rookie)


Kennedy (rookie)


Kirshae (2nd year veteran)


Kristina (rookie. This is an old photo from her college dance team days)


Lauren (4th year veteran)


Meghan (3rd year veteran)


Paige (4th year veteran)


Paula (4th year veteran)


Sequel (4th year veteran)


Taelor (2nd year veteran)