Dance Team Announces Additions to 2021-22 Roster

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State head dance coach Melissa McGhee has added five members to the Buckeyes’ 2021-22 roster. The newest Buckeye are: Macie Blacklidge (Zionsville, Ind.), Danni Gelin (Melbourne, Fla.), Diana Natalicchio (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.), Julia Paslawski (Cranberry Township, Pa.) and Ellie Wagner (Woodbury, Minn.).

“This is a very talented group and what excites me the most about them is they are all great people,” said McGhee. “They were drawn to Ohio State not only because of how competitive our dance program is, but also for all the opportunities outside of athletics that the university offers. They will be great additions to the campus community.”

More on the incoming class:

• Macie Blacklidge – Macie currently attends Zionsville Community High School and dances for Expressenz Dance Center. She will be joining her sister, Makenna, who is currently a sophomore on the team. The two of them were contestants on NBC’s World of Dance during its second season in 2018.
• Danni Gelin – Danni will graduate from West Shore Junior Senior High School and then head north to Columbus to begin her college career. She is a senior team member at Dance Mania All Stars.
• Diana Natalicchio – A New Jersey native, Diana attends Pascack Valley High School and dances for Studio L Dance Co.
• Julia Paslawski – Julia is currently a senior at Seneca Valley High School and dances for the Studio 19 Dance Complex.
• Ellie Wagner – The only Minnesota native on the roster, Ellie will graduate from Hill Murray School. She dances for Larkin Dance Studio. She, like Macie and Makenna Blacklidge, appeared on NBC’s “World of Dance.”

The Buckeyes’ dance program is coming off a national championship in the jazz division at the 2020 Universal Cheer & Dance Association College National Championships and a silver medal in the pom category. The national championship was Ohio State’s fourth title in a three-year period. They will head back to Orlando, FL in April for the 2021 Universal Dance Association Collegiate National Championship.