Several local dancers win at WIDA U.S. Open

The first World Irish Dance Association U.S. Open championships were held Saturday at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, and several local dancers finished first in their division.

Featuring rapid leg and foot movements, Irish dancing was made popular in the United States by the Riverdance company.

Any American dancer could have qualified for Saturday's contest, and participants traveled from as far away as Florida, California, and Michigan. The judges were top Irish dance experts from Ireland and Germany.

The 10-year-old European-based WIDA holds competitions and workshops, and certifies teachers and dancers, and is one of the many groups that help organize the thousands of Irish dancers around the world.

Here are some of the local winners:

WIDA U.S. Open

Open Championship

Carly Gilbert, Philadelphia, under-12

Maiti Clark, West Chester, under-16

Abigail McHugh, Barrington, under-21

Premiership

Cordelia Cedeno, Philadelphia, intermediate

Angela Brunetti, Philadelphia, intermediate

Miranda DellaVecchio, Aldan, intermediate