Hometown dancers excel in international competitions

Hometown ballroom dancer Barbara Rynkowski and her professional dance partner, Rene Ostarek, competed in St. Augustine, Fla., at the First Coast Classic Dance Competition March 11.

They placed second in the finals of the American Smooth Championship, which includes waltz, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz. They were awarded second place in the International Latin Championship Finals, which includes cha cha, samba, rumba, paso and jive.

Their students Nicole Renn and Tyler Sherwood competed for the first time in the Amateur Bronze Division and took home trophies, plus gold and silver medals in the Latin and smooth championships.

This event which hosts dancers from all over the world was canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions and took place this year under strict health guidelines.