United States Champions - Penelope Rostad and Nikolay Karchev

The United States Dancesport Championships, the most prestigious ballroom dance competition in the U.S., was held in Orlando, FL September 6 through September 10, 2011. Dancers from across the country competed in various categories for the honor of being a United States Champion.

The Fred Astaire Dances Studios in Mequon, WI is proud to announce that Penelope Rostad and her professional instructor, Nikolay Karchev, received 4 United States Champion titles and 4 United States Finalist placements at this year's event.

Ms. Rostad won 1st place in the following categories: Showdance Championship, Closed Silver B American Rhythm Championship, Closed Silver B American Nine Dance Championship, and Closed Silver B Latin Championship. Her finalist placements included the Closed Smooth Championship (3rd place) and the Open Smooth Championship (4th place) as well as 2nd and 6th place in 2 Open Latin divisions.

Her Showdance solo is her rendition of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance to Irving Berlin's song "Cheek to Cheek". Ms. Rostad and Mr. Karchev have won 1st place for this solo at every competition she has entered this year.

Ms. Rostad began ballroom dancing in January 2006. She started as a social dancer and quickly got involved in competitive ballroom dance. She competes at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Wisconsin regional events as well as at various competitions across the United States. She is a hard-working, determined, passionate student who enjoys performing and who is always learning more about the dance. For her ballroom dancing is a way to release stress, stay in excellent health and, most importantly, a creative expression. She has made great friends at the competitions, locally and nationally, and enjoys reconnecting with them at the events.

The studio is very proud of her accomplishments. We wish her luck at her upcoming competitions.