US National Champion Press Release

McGough Academy Irish Dance Champions, Christina Mariel Wiltz and Ilizabeth Maggie Saboe, took the gold at the July 2021 US Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. Over 4,200 competitors attended the first major Irish dance championship since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown.

Christina Mariel Wiltz, age 14, slipped on her first pair of shoes at age 4 in Yonkers, New York at the Open House of the Grand Opening of the McGough Academy in 2011. She is a three-time Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion and won her first National title in 2016. Additionally, Christina is a top five ranked All Scotland Champion, 2018 Irish Open Champion and World Championship medal holder. Christina’s goal throughout the pandemic shutdown was to reclaim the National title at the 2021 US Nationals. “Nationals was the first big competition for me coming out of lock down, and it was certainly an experience to remember forever. The feelings when I first arrived in Phoenix almost seemed unreal. Behind stage, getting ready to walk on for my first round was more than just exciting. Being at Nationals with my McGough family, supporting one another, was a huge thing I missed while in lockdown. I am so grateful to everyone who made this National competition possible.”

Ilizabeth Maggie Saboe, age 15, started her Irish dance career at age 11 in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. With no prior dance experience, Ilizabeth soared to the championship level within her first year of Irish dance training. She medaled at her first World Championship in 2019 and unfortunately missed her opportunity to compete in 2020 due to the pandemic. Aside from winning the 2021 US National Championships, she has ranked top 5 in the Mid-Atlantic Region Championships and finished first place in the Preliminary Championship competition at the Irish Open in 2018. Ilizabeth has been dedicated to taking her Irish dance career to the next level and cannot wait for the opportunity to grace the world stage next year. She gushed, “My favorite part of Irish dance is all the friends I have made along the way and my teachers who have led me towards the path to success. I love traveling to new places for big Championships and competing at regular Feis Competitions. If it were not for Irish dance, I would not be as well traveled as I am today as a high school student!”

Christina and Ilizabeth train 6 days a week, with Sunday as their day of rest. In addition to Irish dance class, both girls participate in various physical training routines. Christina and Ilizabeth added, “our dedication to dance has grown as we’ve become great friends embarking on this competitive journey together with McGough. Although, when in lockdown, it was difficult to stay motivated to keep up with practice via Zoom classes while witnessing COVID-19 take over the globe. Placing goals for competitions such as the US Nationals really helped us continue to be motivated!”

In addition to embarking on a rigorous training schedule, the girls work hard to remain centered with their mental health throughout the practices and during the National Championship event. Ilizabeth remarked, “it’s extremely important to stay dedicated and confident because nothing happens overnight. The price of success is hard work and the ability to accept criticisms along the way. When I won Nationals this year, I felt a tremendous relief that my hard work paid off.” Head Coach McGough added, “when I noticed the intensity build up prior to the US Nationals, I took the time with my teaching team to check in on the dancers and how they felt mentally and emotionally. I have found with my experience as a coach, the mental well-being of the dancer is just as important as physical training. It was my job to communicate that no matter the outcome, my dancers make me proud. This allowed them the head space to complete three strong rounds on the day of the event and it was instrumental in achieving national titles at the 2021 US Nationals.” Christina exclaimed, “Standing on stage and being declared the ‘National Champion’ was one of the best moments of my dance career. I felt good and prepared heading into the event, thanks to the time my teachers took with me to make me realize I am strong and ready. A lot of work, sweat, and tears went into my preparation for this competition, and it was totally worth every second. I could not get where I am today without my teachers, especially Meagan McGough, who has been the best teacher through everything. I cannot wait to dance at Worlds!”

The next major event for the McGough National Champions, Christina and Ilizabeth, is the CLRG World Championships in Belfast, Ireland in April 2022. They will be increasing their training routine to prepare to meet competitors from around the globe next year. Both Christina and Ilizabeth feel ready to continue their rigorous training schedule into the World Championships because they have developed a great balance between hard work and self-care with their coaching team and supportive parents.

The McGough Academy is a T.C.R.G./A.D.C.R.G. Certified Irish Dance Teaching Academy with CLRG and celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. It is known as a high-quality dance academy that is dedicated to the future of the dancers, on and off the stage. In addition to Irish dance, the McGough Academy offers cheer and gymnastics. With two locations in New York and Pennsylvania, we are conveniently located near the NYC and Philly metropolitan areas. The McGough Academy provides each dancer with an environment where you can feel comfortable and trust the staff to help you become the best dancer and person possible. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the McGough Academy offers both digital and in-person programs aimed at helping you achieve your individual goals.

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