Three-time North American Irish Dancing Champion
Drew Lovejoy from McGing School of Irish Dance with his mom Andee Goldberg
photo: Andee Goldberg
The Mid-America Region of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America dominated the male Irish dancing solo championships in Chicago last week.  Dancers from Irish dancing schools in the Mid-America Region, which is made up of thirteen states and Western Pennsylvania, claimed six of thirteen male titles.  Of the six, two Mid-Americans defended the North American Championships for their age groups for the third time:  Drew Lovejoy from McGing School of Irish Dance from Ohio and Collin Mountain from The Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance.

Three-time North American Irish Dancing Champion Collin Mountain
from Richens/Timm Academy with his sister Caitlyn Mountain
photo: Micaela Mountain

Also from the Mid-America region, Michael Putman from the Dennehy School of Irish Dance, topped the podium for Men under 20, in what the audiences viewed as an outstanding competition among friendly rivals who have grown up together in international tournaments.  

Three of the youngest age groups' championships were also won by Mid-Americans.  Conal Mulhern O'Kane from the Mulhern School of Irish Dance and Tadgh Spillane from Lavin-Cassidy School of Irish Dance, won the Boys under 12 and Boys under 11 events, and Declan Mangan from Leneghan Academy of Irish Dance won Boys under 9.

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Read more:


Mid-Atlantic region dominates female North American Irish Dancing Championships

4th of July patriotism in Chicago for North American Irish Dancing Championships

Recap of the 2011 North American Irish Dancing Championships Part 3
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The Mid-Atlantic Region, comprised of the states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Eastern Pennsylvania clinched four male titles, in addition to the seven female North American Irish Dancing Championships this year.  Two of the 2012 titles were defended by North American champions Owen Luebbers from the Broesler School of Irish Dance and Sean Crosby from Hagen Irish Dance.  Jonathan Detullio from Petri School of Irish Dance and Daniel Callanan from Lynn Academy of Irish Dance also claimed North American championships.

From the Western United States, Blaine Donovan from Celtic Steps topped the podium for Men 20 & Over in another exciting competition among international rivals and friends.  Brian Perry-Carrera won the Boys under 18 event, hailing from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor in California.

Top 5 Boys under 16
2012 North American Irish Dancing Championships
Photo: Heidi Hamerman Nidds
Mitchell Hodges from Carey Academy in Midlands, England/Wales, defended his 2011 North American Irish Dancing Championship.  Hodges success follows second placements at both the 2012 World and All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships earlier this year.

View Thursday's Parade of Champions here:



North American Irish Dancing Championships for Boys/Men

Men 20 & Over Blaine Donovan: Celtic Steps Western USA
Men under 20 Michael Putman: Dennehy Mid-America USA
Boys under 18 Brian Perry-Carrera: Butler-Fearon-O'Connor Western USA
Boys under 17 Drew Lovejoy: McGing Mid-America USA
Boys under 16 Mitchell Hodges: Carey Midlands England/Wales
Boys under 15 Jonathan Detullio: Petri Mid-Atlantic USA
Boys under 14 Owen Luebbers: Broesler Mid-Atlantic USA
Boys under 13 Sean Crosby: Hagen Mid-Atlantic USA
Boys under 12 Conal Mulhern O'Kane: Mulhern Mid-America USA
Boys under 11 Tadgh Spillane: Lavin-Cassidy Mid-America USA
Boys under 10 Collin Mountain: Richens/Timm Mid-America USA
Boys under 9 Declan Mangan: Leneghan Mid-America USA
Boys under 8 Daniel Callanan: Lynn Mid-Atlantic USA

Congratulations to all the competitors, especially the champions!

Full results are available here.  Check back here on IrishCentral's Irish dance page for more North American Irish Dancing Championship recaps, photos, interviews and results!