By Elle Schuermann, Jordan Brown and Justin Hecimovich

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 3rd, 2025)

The music blasts through the speakers and the IU RedSteppers hit every beat with perfect energy and rhythm. Their crimson and cream outfits unite as one as they move in sync, perfecting their routine and electrifying the sold-out Memorial Stadium on a Saturday afternoon. Every turn, jump, and step isn’t just about the physical move itself, but rather the passion behind them.

For two of these dancers, it’s more than just practice. It’s their life.

Roommates and best friends Jenna Handlan and Jenna Fricke have spent a lot of time together dancing side by side, and in their everyday lives. Handlan said, “We literally do everything together nonstop–practice, dinner, lunch–everything we do is together.” Between school, performances, and just trying to survive college, they rely on each other to push through the chaos.

Their room is basically an extension of the studio. Posters of past performances hang on the walls, and their common space often turns into a practice space when needing extra time to perfect a routine. They keep each other motivated, whether it’s for perfecting choreography or getting through another long day of practice, class, and studying.

They also feed off each other’s energy. When one is struggling, the other steps up to bring the hype. Handlan gives examples of the duo lifting the other one up, “All the time, I feel like if on the way to practice if someone doesn’t want to go or someone’s not feeling it that day, we push each other and we’re like you got it, it’s a hard day you’re gonna make it through.” If one feels exhausted after a long day, the other pushes them to keep going. Whether it’s blasting music together before rehearsal and have fun at home or simply giving each other that extra boost of encouragement before a big performance, they always find a way to lift each other up.

It’s not just about accountability, it’s about knowing that someone always has your back. If school and dance stress starts to feel overwhelming, they remind each other why they’re here in the first place. It’s a partnership built on trust, hard work, and the unspoken understanding that they’re stronger together.

Some days are exhausting. They wake up early for class, endure hours of labs and lectures, then rush to practice, where they push their bodies to the limit. The late nights and early mornings add up, and sometimes they’ll wonder how they’ll keep going, but that’s when they can rely on each other. But as tiring as it is, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping onto the field, hearing the sold-out BIG10 crowd roar for you, and knowing all their hard work has paid off.

Being a RedStepper is no joke. Game days mean performing in front of thousands of fans, keeping the energy high, and representing IU with every move. When game day was discussed, Fricke said, “For game days when we have to get up at 3:00 or 4:00 A.M. and I think we just hype each other up too.” Their ability to thrive from the other’s energy in such a rigorous schedule is vital for balance. However, the packed crowd’s excitement, the booming music, the feeling of representing IU, the synchronized steps, it all comes together in a way that makes the exhaustion worth it.

Behind the big performances are the small moments that keep them going. The inside jokes, the water breaks, the support when someone’s struggling with simply a move or balancing everything, the pre-game talks before stepping onto the field. That’s what makes it special.

For Handlan and Fricke, it’s about more than just the dancing. It’s about the people who surround the RedStepper team and make it a family.

Through the long practices, the late-night study sessions, and the pressure to always perform at their best, they’ve learned discipline, teamwork, time management and how to push through challenges when they’re exhausted. These are lessons they’ll carry beyond IU and the RedSteppers. Whether they’re in a hospital room caring for patients or in a classroom teaching students, the dedication and resilience they’ve built as dancers will stick with them.

And when they finally take the field on game day, they’re not just dancing. They’re living the dream, one step at a time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJklCagvDFU

The inspiring story of how Jenna Handlan and Jenna Fricke, best friends and dance partners, constantly push each other to be their best selves. Through challenges, long rehearsals, and the pressures of college life, they uplift one another both on and off the dance floor.