Raper's
Who's Who in Swing Dance
U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships
1979 First Anual U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships
This first event was held in August 1979 in the Gold Room at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. The Emcee was Jerry Pollock and the music was by the Rod Cradit Group (from San Diego, CA).
1. Michael Cross & Amber Burke - Denver, CO
2. Lloyd Lickert & Peggy Diamond - San Diego, CA
3. Lowell Gosser & Mary Manzella - San Diego, CA
4. Kurt Meeske & Teresa Noonkester - Tulsa, OK
5. Wayne Lucas & Shirley Fietsam - Los Angeles, CA
Other Contestants (in no particular order)
Mike Faille & Yolanda Ochoa - St. Louis, MO
Laird & Reina Mooney
Jim & Dena Kubala
Jim & Judy Dickinson
Bob Matoba & Mary Jo George
Judges: Skippy Blair (Los Angeles, CA), Jackie Feeney (San Diego, CA), Ed Cirio (San Francisco, CA).
1983 Showcase Division
1. Lance Shermoen & Mary Ann Nunez
2. Lowell Gosser & Diana Lynn
3. Tom Boots & Shirley Fietsam
4. Bob Brooks & Star Hester
5. Michael Kiehm & Lynn Vogen
1984 Showcase Division
1. Lance Shermoen & Mary Ann Nunez
2. Larry Kern & Lynn Vogen
3. Barry Jones & Judy
4. Doug Morris & Star Morris
5. Martin Parker & Toni Piazza
1984 Classic Division
1. Joe Marchione & Patricia Michaels
2. Jack Sigler & Diane Lynn
3. Al Neel & Barbara Little
1985 Showcase Division
1. James Fisk & Sharlot Jansen
2. Martin Parker & Toni Piazza
3. Eddie Frias & Tina Bright
4. Avner Uzan & Debbie Ramsey
5. Ryan Forbes & Ilona Marshall
1985 Classic Division
1. Randy Albers & Christine Deihl
2. Al White & Patti Regman
3. Jonathan Bixby & Sylvia Sykes
4. Joe Marchione & Patricia Michaels
5. Jerry Crim & Jody Bridges
1985 Jack-N-Jill
1. Dominick Yen & Rosemarie Burrell
1986 Showcase Division
1. Lance Shermoen & Sharlot Jansen
2. Eddie Vega & Liza Nunziella
3. Barry Jones & Judy Ford LaFemina
4. Bob Brooks & Valerie
5. Avner Uzan & Debbie Ramsey
1986 Classic Division
1. Phil Trau & Michelle Mayers
2. Jonathan Bixby & Sylvia Sykes
3. Al Neel & Judy Rooms
4. Jerry Crim & Jody Bridges
5. Randy Clements & Martha Huttash
1986 Jack-N-Jill
1. Robert Bryant & Diane Randazzo
1987 Showcase Division
1. Barry Jones & Judy Ford
2. Larry Kern & Lynn Vogen
3. Dale Rouggly & Sherry Lawson
4. Lance Shermoen & Sharlot Jansen
5. Elliot Silk & Star Morris
1987 Classic Division
1. Phil Trau & Michelle Mayers
2. Dennis Allen & Melinda Comeau
3. Mike Sullivan & Jeannie Peterson
4. Bill Joslin & Carolyn Frey
5. Jonathan Bixby & Sylvia Sykes
1987 Jack-N-Jill
1. Steve Wong & Donna Lynch
1988 Showcase Division
1. Dale Rouggly & Sherry Lawson
2. Barry Jones & Judy Ford
3. Gary Long & Tamara Moody
4. Lance Shermoen & Sharlot Jansen
5. Andre' Washington & Ava Apple
1988 Classic Division
1 (tie) Dominick Yen & Kelly Buckwalter
1 (tie) Randy Clements & Diana Robert
3. Jonathan Bixby & Sylvia Sykes
4. Bill Joslin & Carolyn Frey
5. Jerry Crim & Jody Bridges
1988 Jack-N-Jill
1. Louie Juarez & Tammy Peterson
1989 Showcase Division
1. Barry Jones & Diane Robert
2. Dale Rouggly & Sherry Lawson
3. Mark Slater & Abra Slater
4. Mario Robau, Jr. & Tamara Moody
5. Frank LaFemina & Judy Ford
1989 Classic Division
1. Phil Trau & Michele Mayers
2. Randy Clements & Valerie LaFemina
3. Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee
4. Romiro Gonzales & Francis Bostwick
5. Avner Uzan & Debbie Ramsey
1989 Jack-N-Jill
1. Bill Joslin & Sandra Mayer
2. Terry Rosenborough & Laura Telesky
3. Jerry Dawson & Carrie Lucas
1989 Young America
1. Craig Devlin & Shannon Chance
2. Dean Tomkins & Katie Bourgeois
3. Damien Alvarado & Kristen Oldham
1989 Cabaret Division
1. Flashpoint - Dallas, TX
2. Tango Argentino - San Diego, CA
3. Jailbait - St. Louis, MO
4. Dance Attack - Costa Mesa, CA
1990 Showcase Division
1. Lance Shermoen & Sharlot Jansen
2. Avner Uzan & Debbie Ramsey
3. Dale Rouggly & Sherry Lawson
4. Jamie Arias & Petra Tunmar
5. Andre' Washington & Ava Apple
1990 Classic Division
1. Mario Robau, Jr. & Francis Bostwick
2. Robert Cordova & Karen Lee
3. Randy Albers & Michele Brakebill
4. Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee
5. Maxwell Ho & Lisa Kobayashi
1990 Jack-N-Jill
1. Jerry Crim & Michele Mayers Kinkaid
1990 Young America Division (ages 6-11)
1. James Adair & Jessica Cox
2. Benji Schwimmer & Heidi Groskreutz
3. Dean Tomkins & Katie Bourgeois
1990 Young America Division (ages 12-18)
1. Kurtis Van Horn & Jamie Thomas
2. Damien Alvarado & Kristen Oldham
3. Rene Allen & Glioia Marchese
1990 Cabaret Division
1. F/X - Dallas, TX
2. Andre' Washington & Ava Apple
3. Bandstand - Orange County, CA
4. Dance Attack - Orange County, CA
1990 Team Division
1. Swingtime Dancers - Los Angeles, CA
2. Jumpstart - Costa Mesa, CA
3. Cats 'N Jammers - Santa Barbara, CA
4. Showstoppers - Los Angeles, CA
1990 Masters Division
1. Don Dressler & Rosalie Dressler - Phoenix, AZ
2. Lloyd Lickert & Wanda Vail - San Diego, CA
3. Frank Amatuzio & Corine Amatuzio - Granada Hills, CA
4. Don Davis & Irene Reiger - Southern CA
1991 Showcase Division
1. Barry Durand & Dawn Harris
2. Jamie Arias & Gail Arias
3. Lance Shermoen & Lynn Vogen
4. Lowell Gosser & Carmen Garcia
5. Mike Cross & Amber Cross
1991 Classic Division
1. Mario Robau, Jr. & Valerie LaFemina
2. Phil Trau & Michelle Mayers Kinkaid
3. Robert Cordoba & Keldee Bjerknes
4. Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee
5. Rob Van Haaren & Melinda Combeau
1991 Advanced Jack-N-Jill
1. Terry Roseborough & Irene Nishino
2. Romero Gonzales & Rosemarie Burrell
3. Ramone Navarro & Linda Lee
1991 Novice Jack-N-Jill
1. Stephen Arasi & Grace Hodgekin
2. Richard Samples & Bonnie Silver
3. Jeffrey Keetzy & Judy Cohen
1991 Young America Division (ages 6-11)
1. Benji Schwimmer & Heidi Groskreutz
2. Luke Alarado & Megan Stephens
3. James Adair & Jessica Cox
1991 Young America Division (ages 12-18)
1. Jeff Auclair & Niki Stebe
2. Mike Bicklein & Amy Walters
3. Tim Auclair & Dana Armbruster
1991 Cabaret Division
1. Barry Durand & Dawn Harris
2. Angel Figueroa & Diane Lachtrupp
3. Larry Kern & Paula Rogers
4. Double Your Pleasure
1991 Team Division
1. Team USA
2. Midnight Cowboys (Swingtime Dance Studio)
3. Leapin' Lindy Hoppers
4. Swingtime Dancers
1991 Masters Division
1. Don Dressler & Rosalie Dressler
2. Jack Carey & Annie Hirsch
3. Bill Joslin & Dixie Jones
4. Olindo Lee Alo & Carol Werkmeister
1992 Showcase Division
1. Lance Shermoen & Michele French
2. Barry Jones & Judy Ford
3. Ryan Francois & Sing Lim
4. Barry Durand & Dawn Blorstad
5. Maxwell Ho & Lori Haner
1992 Classic Division
1. Robert Cordoba & Keldee Bjerknes
2. Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee
3. Mike Cross & Amber Cross
4. Atlas Griffith & Melonie Roberts
5. Wayne Bott & Sharlot Jansen
1992 Advanced Jack-N-Jill
1. Tommy Thompson & Yolanda Vargis
2. Louie Juarez & Debbie Ramsey
3. Avner Uzan & Erica Balky
1992 Grand Champion Jack-N-Jill
1. Phil Trau & Dawn Blorstad
2. Dale Rouggly & Dawn Blorstad
3. Barry Jones & Michelle Mayers Kinkaid
4. Dominic Yen & Michelle Mayers Kinkaid
5. Mario Robau, Jr. & Sharlot Jansen
1992 Young America Division (ages 6-12)
1. James Adair & Jessica Cox
2. Matt Auclair & Michelle Kile
3. Benji Schwimer & Heidi Groskreutz
1992 Young America Division (ages 13-18)
1. Michael Johnson & Jamie Thomas
2. Jeff Auclair & Niki Stebe
3. Mike Bicklein & Amy Walters
1992 Cabaret Division
1. David Savoy & Sharon Savoy
2. Miriam & Sandar
3. Felix Chavez & Karen Lee
4. Mark Slater & Abra Slater
1992 Team Division
1. Star Struck - Dallas, TX
2. Dance West - Washington, DC
3. Special F/X - Dallas, TX
4. Midnight Cowboys - Bellflower, CA
1992 Masters Division
1. Don Dressler & Rosalie Dressler
2. Ed Arvizo & Mary Ruth
3. Olindo "Lee" Alo & Carol Werkmeister
4. Frank Amatuzio & Corrine Amatuzio
5. Lloyd Lickert & Wanda Vail
1993 Showcase Division
1. Barry Durand & Dawn Blorstad
2. Jamie Arias & Gail Arias
3. Lance Shermoen & Michele French
4. Barry Jones & Kellese Douglas
5. Larry Kern & Paula Rogers
1993 Classic Division
1. Robert Cordoba & Melanie Roberts
2. Robert Royston & Laureen Baldovi
3. Manuel Viarrial & Jeannie Tucker
4. Wayne Bott & Sharlot Bott
5. Ricardo Moncada & Carmen Garcia
1993 Jack-N-Jill
1. Louis Juarez & Judy Cohen
2. Romero Gonzales & Kris Agerly
3. Mark Scheuffele & Lisa Cortez
1993 Young America Division (ages 6-12)
1. Spencer Smith & Melissa Cowles
2. James Adair & Jessica Cox
3. Matt Auclair & Michelle Kile
4. Benji Schwimmer & Heidi Groskreutz
1993 Young America Division (ages 13-18)
1. Michael Johnson & Rya Wilfon
2. Tim Auclair & Kim Seil
3. Stephen Johnson & Rachel White
4. Scott Morris & Amy Walters
1993 Cabaret Teams
1. Dance Attack "For Your Mind"
2. American Bandstand
3. Dance Attack "Christmas Waltz"
1993 Cabaret Couples
1. Tom Slater & Cate Caplin
2. David Appel & Tracey Appel
3. Jason Nemer & Bista Countess
4. Angel Figueroa & Diane Lachtrupp
1993 Team Division
1. Dance West - Washington, DC
2. The Rio Grande Rockers - Albuquerque, NM
3. Possibilities - New York, Texas, etc.
4. S. Louis Special - St. Louis, MO
1993 Masters Division
1. Don Dressler & Rosalie Dressler
2. Olindo "Lee" Alo & Carol Werkmeister
3. Robert Kinkaid & Diane Durosette
4. Jack Willingham & Gloria Cotchonis
1993 Dance Promoter Award
1994 Showcase Division
1. Barry Jones & Kelese Douglas (Texas)
2. Barry Durand & Dawn Blorstad (Maryland)
3. Jamie & Gail Arias (Thousand Oaks, CA)
4. Avner Usan & Debbie Ramsey (Los Angeles, CA)
1994 Classic Division
1. Robert Cordoba & Melanie Roberts (CA)
2. Eddie Vedolla, Jr. & Blair Johnson (Ukia, CA)
3. Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee (Atlanta, GA)
4. Manny Virrial & Jeannie Tucker (CO & TX)
1994 Jack-N-Jill
1. Tom Paderna & Kelly Buckwalter
2. Michael Johnson & Teresa Anderson
3. Steve Wong & Elaine Burkow
1994 Young America (ages 6-12)
1. James Adair & Jessica Cox (CA)\
2. Benji Schwimmer & Heidi Groskreutz (CA)
3. Spencer Smith & Blake Selby (CA)
4. Phillip Yochum & Alicia Yochum (CO)
1994 Young America (ages 13-17)
1.Matt Auclair & Megan McKechan (MO & IL)
2. Tim Auclair & Kate Berardino (MO)
3. Jason Colacino & Sara Vann (CA)
4. Stephen Johnson & Rachel White (MO)
1994 Cabaret Division (3 or more dancers)
1. Double Trouble (St. Louis, MO)
2. Dance Attack (Moreno Valley, CA)
3. Sudden Impact (St. Louis, MO)
1994 Cabaret Division (Couples)
1. David & Sharon Savoy (Arlington, VA)
2. David & Tracey Appel (Houston, TX)
3. Kenny Gonzalez & Maria Jones (Brooklyn, NY)
4. Enio Cordoba & Terryl Jones (Alhambra, CA)
1994 Team Division
1. Dance West Team (Washington, DC)
2. Swing Shift (Sunland, CA)
3. Strictly Swing (Orange County, CA)
4. Lynn Vogen Swing Team (Costa Mesa, CA)
5. Dance Manhattan (New York, NY)
1994 Masters Division (over 50)
1. Don & Rosalie Dressler (Scottsdale, AZ)
2. Jerry Basolin & Kathleen Sauser (Chicago, IL)
3. Bob & Beverly Budzynski (Flint, MI)
4. Jim & Connie Malatchi (Lakewood, CA)
1994 Strictly Swing Division (100% Swing)
1. Christopher Joe & Beata Howe (CA)
2. Ricardo & Lisa Cortez (CA)
3. Mark Endo & Kimberly Nelson (CA & NM)
4. Michael Colburn & Terri Horiuchi (CA)
1995 Showcase Division
1. David & Tracey Appel (Texas)
2. Eddie Vedolla, Jr. & Blair Johnson (California)
3. Scott Morris & Amy Walters (Missouri)
4. Ricardo & Lisa Cortez (California)
5. Frank Piiotrowski & Kimberly Nelson (New Mexico)
6. Barry Jones & Kellese Douglas (Texas)
7. Barry Durand & Lisa Austin (Washington DC & Alabama)
8. Steve Reiling & Judy McLeod (California)
1995 Classic Division
1. Robert Royston & Laureen Baldovi (California)
2. Mario Robau, Jr. & Carmen Scarborough (Texas)
3. Robert Cordoba & Keldee Bjerknes (California & Colorado)
4. Barry Jones & Beata Howe (Texas & California)
5. Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee (Georgia)
6. Adam Mara & Beverly Durand (California)
7. Michael & Amber Cross (Colorado)
8.Brent Key & Shea Carver (South Carolina & North Carolina)
9. Dean Garrish & Dawn Blorstad
10. Gary Jobst & Lyndee Campbell (California)
1995 Jack-N-Jill Division
1. Maxwell Ho & Blake Hobby
2. Lowell Gosser & Heather Wagner
3. Mark Endo & Sara Vail
1995 Young America Division (ages 6-12)
1. Phillip & Alicia Yochum (Colorado)
2. Chris RUsso & Allison Coleman (California)
3. Blake Hodges & Randi-Lynn Straight (California)
4. Michael Toole & Katie Stephens (California)
1995 Young America Division (ages 13-17)
1. Tim Auclair & Katie Berardino (Missouri)
2. Michael Kile & Kelly Morris (Missouri)
3. Matt Auclair & Megan McKechan (Missouri)
4. Stephen Johnson & Rachel White (Missouri)
1995 Cabaret Division ( 1 or 2 dancers)
1. Dale Stotts & Kyle Larsen (New York)
2. Brent Mills & Heather Benson (Utah)
3. Victor Da Rocha & Nathalie Gomez (New York)
4. Mark & Abra Slater (Honolulu, HI)
1995 Cabaret Division (3 or more dancers)
1. David Appel and Sharon & Susan Kirkland (Texas)
2. Sudden Impact Cloggers (Lyndee Campbell) (California)
3. Blazin' Boots (Ricardo Cortez) (California)
4. Simply Sensational (Laurie Schwimmer) (California)
1995 Team Division
1. Jump Start (Buddy Schwimmer) (California)
2. Escape Velocity (Gary Long & Steve Giles) (Texas)
3. Cats-N-Jammers (Jonathan & Sylvia) (California)
4. Magic (Wana Liverman (Texas)
5. In Full Swing (Michelle Adams) (California)
1995 Masters Division (age over 50)
1. John Boden & Cher Chilton (Texas)
2. Richard Ware & Judy Wooten (Texas)
3. Mario Robau, Sr. & Pris McInroe (Texas)
4. Dan Beck & Deanna Becker (Colorado)
1995 Street Swing Division
1. Ramiro Gonzalez & Sylvia Sykes (Texas & California)
2. Christopher Joe & Melanie Roberts (California)
3. Tom Paderna & Michelle Kinkaid (California)
4. Bruce Kass & Monique Harrell (Father & Daughter) (Illinois)
5. Sonny Watson & Kris Hagerty (California)
1995 Cachonis Award - Perpetual Trophy (Most Improved Dancers)
Mark Scheuffele & Laura Smith (California)
1995 Dance Promoter Award
Marlene Johnson (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
1996 US Open Swing Dance Championships
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