Roadrunner fans at multiple sporting events next season will get the opportunity to experience a new level of game entertainment with the addition of the CSUB 'Runner Girls dance team. The 10-member squad will begin their inaugural season with CSUB Athletics following tryouts a week ago. The 10 team members were selected from a pool of nearly 50 dancers.
"We're looking to bring spirit and energy, it's all about getting the crowd really excited for CSUB and trying to capture their focus during the games," said team coach Christy Nemmer. "We're working on the spirit program as a whole along with the cheerleaders and the mascot; we're all part of it."
While dance teams are traditionally limited to indoor sporting events, CSUB's dance team will make appearances at several different sporting events including soccer, basketball, baseball and more. The team will also assist in activities and promotions throughout the games. Nemmer said working multiple sports is a challenge she and her team welcome.
"Any sport they ask us to show up to I said 'just bring it' and we'll be there," Nemmer said. "I'm not worried about being in a new environment, we'll do just fine."
The team has completed the process of becoming an official club at CSU Bakersfield and will work closely with the cheer team, mascot and other promotional organizations to make the Roadrunner game environment better than ever.
"Adding the 'Runner Girls into the mix this upcoming season is going to add a nice new element to our game atmosphere," said Keith Ford, Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Game Environment. "The team debuted late last basketball season with a few performances and everybody was very impressed, it was a good indicator that our fans would welcome something like this and I think they'll be very excited when the dance team's performances become a regular feature at most home sporting events."
One member of the team, Sabrina Ziegler is a familiar face locally being named Miss Golden Empire for 2012. The senior political science major is now setting her sights on the Miss California Pageant and will begin that quest as one of just 58 finalist for the crown next week.
Ziegler is preparing for a full week of pageants that get underway on June 26th and conclude June 30th with the coronation. Ziegler will naturally choose dancing during the talent competition performing a tap dance choreographed by Natalia Mallory from 'So You Think You Can Dance,' who finished in the top-20 in season 8.
The Miss California winner also earns a spot in the Miss America pageant, earns a $10,000 scholarship and will travel to China to help promote the International Pistachio Growers. Her pageant title is "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" and focuses on promoting healthy self-esteem.
"I feel a strong sense of responsibility to represent my school with pride," Ziegler said. "The last three Miss Californias attended Chapman, UCLA and USC. I'm going to give this competition my all, and hopefully contribute to the cause of making CSUB and Bakersfield more memorable across California in the process."
The 'Runner Girls dance team will make their 2012 debut during CSUB soccer in August.
