Bk row: Gary McDonald, Steve Olsen, Gerald More, Arianne Kidwell, Robert Cordoba, Ronnie Guerrero, Richard Orozco, Peter Brescia; Not Pictured: Mike Kidwell
Front row: Natalie Mavor, Chia Brescia, Catherine Cottis, Michelle Brakebill, Becky Chang, Lori Greenberg, Janet Kvasnak, Kathleen Mitchell
When we say All Star team, we are not kidding. The team consisted of the best Amateur Latin dancers in the LA Metro area. But many of these dancers were to become professional stars in the immediate future. Gary McDonald would become World 10-Dance Professional Champion, Natalie Mavor would become a many time US Amateur Latin, Standard and 10 Dance Champion, US Rising Star Professional Rising Star Latin Champion, and winner of the Mayan World Salsa Champion. Catherine Cottis and Becky Chang would win US ProAm Championships Ladies’ A division with former team member pro Bernard Ceballos; Janet Kvasnak would win the US Ladies A ProAm Latin Championship with her pro partner- former USC team member Enio Cordoba. Gerald More had previously won the Gentlemen’s A ProAm Rhythm Championship, In the Swing World, Michelle Brakebill would win several US Showcase division titles, Feather Awards, and California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Robert Cordoba after closing out his Amateur Latin career, won 7 US Professional Swing Open Championships in both the Classic and Showcase Divisions. Robert was also elected to both the California and US Swing Dance Hall of Fame Rolls. Richard Orozco won several US Silver Medals at the US Amateur Ball, Several US Disco Championships, and danced on 5 USC teams and many amateur Latin events.Of the rest, Steve Olsen & Ginny Mavor and Peter & Gia Brescia were very talented amateur Latin competitors. Steve turned pro, coached the USC team for a while and also had a successful pro partnership with Elizabeth Sadowska. Virtually a team of future pro dancers.
In September of 1998, The team missing a few key members for various school and work reasons, entered the United States Ballroom Championships formation division. Using a medley from the movies Dirty Dancing and Victor, Victoria, and an unusual Paso Doble in 3/4 time, the team was awarded the Gold Medal. The trip to Miami falling during the first week of school, most of the members had to rush back and not get to enjoy the Miami sunshine.
Team members: Janet Kvasnak, Garry Mallet, Becky Chang, Gerald More, Ron Guerrero, Denise Otterbein, Steve Olsen, and Sue Vong. Not present: Peter Brescia, Gia Brescia, Robert Cordoba, Lori Greenberg, Coach: Enio Cordoba
US Ballroom Championships, Miami, Florida
Back Row: Sue Vong, Janet Kvasnak, Denese Otterberin, Gia Brescia, Becky Chang. Front Row: Gerald More, Ron Guerrero, Steve Olsen, Peter Brescia, Catherine Cottis