On Friday, July 30, the Sacramento Mountain Lions Cheer and Dance team finals were head at Barcode on Arden Way at 9pm.  The event was originally scheduled to be held at Venue Events Center located at 1417 R St. at 8pm, but a power outage reportedly due to a blown transformer under SMUD control forced a last minute schedule and location change.

Noticeably distressed, dance team Director Lindsay Shoemaker scrambled to secure an alternate location.  Demonstrating why she is in fact the team's leader, when put to the test inside the eleventh hour, she found a way not only to come through, but to create an even better atmosphere.  Barcode, despite being a fair distance away from midtown Sacramento, was a far better event location.  The staff and owners were supportive and on hand to assist with a variety of needs, and both the floors and lighting were significantly better than those at Venue.

This final round of tryouts was intense.  All of the women participating were incredible.  No one seemed distracted by the adjustments.  The only blemish on the evening was the outcome, as the unfortunate reality was that half the women could not be selected.  Given how good all of them are, there were sure to be some difficult choices in the end.

Having representatives from RS&E, the PR firm representing the Sacramento Mountain Lions, sitting in on the interview phase this past week was perhaps a unique twist that underscores the belief that final decisions were in fact based on more than just performances on the floor.

One of those unfortunate choices was to cut the incredible Rosie Maupin.  Her performance literally brought the crowd and the judges to their feet.  The DJ played the music longer, and she showed incredible talent and athleticism.  Sadly, the night was not to be hers.  Of her performance, Rosie said, "I worked really hard and did the best I could, unfortunately it wasn't good enough.  I thought my interview went well, so all I can think of is that they wanted somebody older."

Another unfortunate choice resulted in Carlie Beck being cut.  Carlie is an exceptionally talented young woman who has graced the pages of Playboy Magazine, as well as the current Playboy Sexy 100 list.  On how the entire night went, Beck said, "There was a lot of amazing talent and wonderful dancers, and any one of the 30 girls who made it to the finals could have made it."

Similar stories apply to perhaps a dozen women whose performances seemed squad-worthy.  The only justice would have been to let them all on.  Unfortunately, the UFL chose to limit the squads of all teams to a maximum of 32 members.

For Rosie Maupin and Carlie Beck, the work goes on.  They will both be in Midtown Sacramento tonight representing The Midtown Girls at the California Automobile Museum's Second Annual Car Cruise and Show, sponsored in part by Sacramento's Midtown Business Association.  The show will take place from 6-9pm from 22d to 25th Street, and between J and L Street.  The streets will be blocked off.  Seven bands will play simultaneously throughout the district.

The Sacramento Mountain Lions will have a select team of dancers, players, and ticket sales staff on hand as well.  They will be located on 24th Street, in between J and K.

Editor's Note:RS&E was not involved in any part of the judging or selection process of the Mountain Lions Dance Squad..