 "Photo: Bree Gant - Photo Editor")
An all-white step team representing the international women’s fraternity of Zeta Tau Alpha defeated their Divine 9 competition to claim first place and a grand prize of $100,000 at the first annual Sprite Step Off event.
It was nearly 12:30 in the morning when the winner was declared, and the capacity crowd of more than 4,500 had dwindled to half that number, exhausted from having yelled and hooted at an event that started around 6:30 pm.
The Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) team, clad in black trench coats, shades, and knee-high platform boots had come out and stunned the crowd with awe-inspiring steps, rhythm, precision, and intensity. Portraying a “matrix” theme, the Zetas masterfully executed a routine filled with one-legged steps, a hip-hop dance routine, crowd-pleasing chants, and even a step atop tables held shoulder high to take first place.
"I thought it was pretty amazing that the Sprite Step Off had a white step team, and that they performed so well."
Not familiar with stepping, the Zeta’s were first introduced to the art of stepping 15 years ago by a local AKA chapter through a series of joint community service events done at the University of Arkansas.
“This started off as pure philanthropy” Kristin Kosmitis, a member of the Zeta step team admitted. "We're just amazed to be here. We were told we wouldn't make it out the first round, and now we're here getting a standing ovation."
A white sorority winning the largest step show in the world sent shockwaves through those who stayed to hear results. Soon, the crowd whom just hours before had applauded the Zeta’s, began to boo the victory.
"Sprite manipulated the crowd,” said Howard sophomore sports medicine major Oyetewa Oyerinde. “I thought the Zetas were more of a showcase, I thought this was a Divine Nine event."
Oyerinde, like many others, cheered enthusiastically for the Zeta team not knowing that she was propelling them to victory.
Crowd participation was a major category in the judging and proved to be one of the main factors in the Zeta triumph.
"I think Zeta Tau Alpha and the Tau chapter AKA's were evenly matched, but the crowd went more so with the Zetas and crowd participation matters. So the results make sense," he said.
The Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated out of Indiana University and the Clark Atlanta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated placed second and third respectively.
The Central State University chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated won the male grand-prize and $100,000. Clark Atlanta University’s Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and Rutgers University’s chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated were awarded second and third place respectively.
Quit fighting over something so stupid as stomping your feet on the ground
Not fair.
"Step Up 3: Stompin' Like The Nine".