TUCSON, AZ — Carol Ross can’t stop smiling at dance practice as she shouts out the steps of a routine to members of her tap and jazz troupe for women aged 50 and older.

“I’ve been dancing my whole life, it’s the best,” said Ross, who founded the Rodeo City Wreckettes group 23 years ago at an age when many people are getting ready for retirement.

Now 87, Ross and her husband and lifelong dance partner John, 89, have long known what more older adults are now discovering: Moving to music is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Medical professionals say it doesn’t matter if it’s Western line dancing, ballroom steps, salsa, tap, Zumba at the gym, or with a group like the Wreckettes.

“Dancing is one of the most powerful activities for older people,” said Julio Loya, a nurse and geriatric program coordinator at the Tucson Medical Center.

Why dancing helps balance, strength and more

Dance, like other exercise, can help people lose weight, get stronger, reduce fall risk, increase mobility and flexibility, and even improve brain health.

“It engages their brain, it changes their mood, and it connects them socially while getting them moving,” said Loya. “And it’s fun. Everybody has a good time.”

Dr. Tom Johnson, a gerontologist at the UC Health Seniors Clinic in Aurora, Colorado, said he remembers one man in particular whose passion for dance was so strong that he willed himself to attend one last class before he died in his late 80s.

“His No. 1 priority was that he danced until the day that he died,” Johnson said of his patient.

Advertisement

Johnson said dance can improve the balance of his patients at the clinic, which serves about 2,500 people 75 and older a year.

He said older patients can benefit from adding two to three dance sessions to the 150 minutes of aerobic exercise he recommends for them each week, because dancing often involves movements that help with balance, such as walking backward or standing on one foot.

Meeting people by dancing together

The Wreckettes practice their routines during two-hour sessions at least twice a week in a rented dance studio.

After studying ballet as a girl, then moving on to everything from ballroom to tap as an adult, Ross said it made sense to keep dancing when she and her husband moved from Philadelphia to retire in Tucson.

John Ross is a key part of the Wreckettes’ routines, typically joining his wife for at least one number. At one recent practice, it was a saucy saunter to Merle Haggard’s “Let’s Chase Each Other Around the Room.”

Advertisement

Anita Snow/Anita Snow via AP

“I learned early on that dancing was a great way to attract the chicks,” joked John Ross, who slid across the floor like a much younger man.

Wreckettes member Cindy Soffrin said that watching her mother suffer as she aged convinced her to stay active as she got older.

“My mom was sedentary the last 20 years of her life. It was pretty rough,” said Soffrin, 74.

For 67-year-old Gail Kowalski, joining the Wreckettes three years ago meant finding new friends after her husband died and she moved from Utah to Tucson.

Advertisement

“Plus, it’s so dang fun,” Kowalski said.

The fun of performing

The Wreckettes perform throughout the year, from holiday events to rodeo shows, dressing up in a series of matching sparkly costumes.

But they all said what they love the most is being hired by retirement homes to perform for memory care patients. Wreckette members take turns picking a favorite charity to donate their earnings.

“When we first arrive, people will be distracted or sleeping,” said Soffrin. “But once the music comes on, they perk up right away.”

A similar dance group for older women in Las Vegas, the Vegas Golden Gals, also performs at retirement homes, said Cheryl Cortez, the group’s president. They add pompoms to their routines.

Advertisement

“I must now know close to 40 routines,” said Cortez, 69. “And that alone has to be great for the memory.”

How to begin dancing when you’re older

If you want to start moving to music, here are some tips from health professionals and dance instructors:

• BEFORE STARTING: Check with your health provider before starting a dance or any exercise program. Choose something simple to start, like line dancing rather than intricate tango steps.
• FIND A CLASS: Check with a YMCA, parks and recreation department, or senior or community center. Community colleges often have dance classes, sometimes tailored for older people. Local dance studios and YouTube videos are other options. If you have Medicare Advantage insurance with the Silver Sneakers benefit, find out if your local gym has Zumba or other dance classes you can attend for free.
• BEFORE THE SESSION: Dress comfortably for easy movement, and warm up and stretch before class.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Have fun! You are doing great things for your mind and body

After the Ole Miss Rebels had a quick exit in the SEC tournament, they now look ahead to the Nebraska regional.

They will be taking on a solid Arizona State team on May 29th in the Lincoln Regional.

The Sun Devils finished their regular season 37-19 and went 19-11 in Big 12 conference games.

What to Expect From Arizona State

Arizona is coming off some of its best baseball after it made it to the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament. The Sun Devils are led by Landon Hairston, who set a school record this year with 28 home runs. The sophomore outfielder also hit .413 on the year and was named the 2026 Big 12 player of the year.

In addition, the State lineup includes six hitters who are hitting above .280. Four of those hitters are hitting well into the .300s. This team is a power-hitting team. They finished second in the Big 12 in home runs as a team with 108

The Rebels Ace Hunter Elliot will most likely get the nod for the Rebels against the Sun Devils and will need to bring his ace stuff against a talented Arizona State lineup.

Cole Carlon will most likely be on the bump for the Sun Devils. The Friday starter finished his 2026 regular campaign with a 3.51 ERA and was named to the Big 12 Conference’s first team.

Carlon has shown the ability to go deep into ball games. His best game this year was against Oklahoma State, where he went seven innings and gave up three runs.

In his most recent start against West Virginia, Carlon went five and a third innings and allowed one run.  

The Sun Devils start to get shaky when they get to their bullpen. Most of their guys have an ERA above five on the season. In Carlon’s best start against the Cowboys, he was given a no-decision because the Sun Devils bullpen gave up six runs to lose the game 9-6.

The Rebels will look for their lineup to get Carlon’s pitch count high earlier so they can face a Sun Devils bullpen that has struggled this year.

Ole Miss is led by just about the most experience a team could get. Head coach Mike Bianco has coached the Rebels for 24 years now and has seen it all. From national championships to shocking early exits. He will be able to get his team in the right mindset to take on a tough Arizona State baseball club.

 Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow