Meet the Rushettes

About the Team

The Rushettes can be seen at every home game dancing throughout the arena and involved in giveaways and promotions. The Rushettes are available for corporate events and are actively involved in the community. Through the sale of their 2010 Rushettes Calendars, they were able to donate $600 to the Black Hills Children's Home. The team also served lunches for children at Rapid City's Youth and Family Services and hosted a pair of camps for young dancers to showcase their skills at recent Rush games.

The 2009 - 2010 Rushettes were recently awarded third best dance and cheer team in the Centra Hockey League's Best of the Best awards.

To schedule an appearance, please contact Teresa Rathbun at 605.716.PUCK (7825) or email teresa@stretchstudiofitness.com.

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Roll over and click each Rushette to view their profile.

Teresa Rathbun

Teresa Rathbun-Gonzalez is excited to be back for her second year as the Rushette’s coach and choreographer. She grew up in the Black Hills and attended Saint Thomas More High School. Teresa was a member of STM’s State AA Championship Cheerleading Squad and captain of the dance team.

She earned a joint degree in Music and Political Science, as well as a minor in Mass Communications from the University of South Dakota. She was actively involved in campus life as a Resident Assistant, crowned Miss University of South Dakota in 2002, and continuously engaged in various Community Service Projects.

Teresa moved back to Rapid City and found a passion for combining dance and fitness—this led to the opening of her own studio. She has explored and studied several styles of dance including ballroom, Latin, belly dance, bhangra, swing, aerial, modern, hip hop, hula, ballet, and jazz. Teresa has taken dance from local studios such as Kisa Dance and Barefoot Dance Studio. In addition, she travels several times a year to take workshops and master classes with international dancers and choreographers. As an instructor and a coach, Teresa is always bringing new dance styles to the Black Hills area.

Cassie Hall

Cassie Hall was born in Rapid City on May 26. She is the only girl out of four kids in her family. She loves Starbucks, glitter, lip gloss, dance, and the color pink. She is learning how to hunt and gradually getting better and snowboarding. Cassie and her boyfriend, Vince, have been together for two years. She is currently attending National American University and working full time at McDonald's. She plans on getting her Masters degree in Business Management. Cassie also loves to dance at Stretch Studio to have a good time and get fit.

Emily Jane Pena

Emily Jane Pena was born September 5th 1989, on Elsworth Airforce Base, Boxelder South Dakota. I have lived in Rapid City for pretty much my entire life. I have 2 brothers, and 3 sisters and I share the position of "youngest" with my twin sister Allison, but technically I'm 13 min older! I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease when I was in 7th grade and have been living with it since. I don't let it get in the way of my life. I basically just deal. I graduated from Douglas High School and also graduated from Western Dakota Tech, in Phlebotomy/Lab Assistant, but am not really sure if that's what I want to do. I'm thinking of going back to school for Culinary. I played volleyball, basketball and golf in high school. I pretty much grew up on a golf course and love to play. I am a swing manager at Mcdonalds and have worked there for 5 years. This is my first year on the Rushettes and am very much enjoying it. It combines two of my favorite things hockey, and dance! I have no prior dance experience except for Zumba at Stretch Studio! Dance is just something I really enjoy and I usually only do it for fun. I love to hangout with my friends and just have a good time!

Emily Hirschman

Emily Hirschman was born here in Rapid City and moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida when she was 7. Emily moved back to the Black Hills in 2008, a year after graduating Highschool so that she could take care of her Grandparents! In the new year, Emily will be attending Western Dakota Tech to become a phlebotobist. Emily is 21 years old and the youngest of 4 sisters. She is very competitive in all sports, but her passion would be Fastpitch Softball, which she has played her whole life. In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her boyfriend Casey. She loves to dance (especially zumba) which is held at stretch studio, scrapbook, do makeup, cook, and go shopping! She considers herself photogenic and loves to take pictures and well as house decorate. Emily is always smiling, very high energy, and loves to cheer on the BEST FANS in the CHL! She is very excited to be back for her second year as part of the Rapid City Rushettes!!!