By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Brute strength and impressive talent propelled Griffin Heckaman and Karris Nissley to victory Saturday night at the annual Dancing with the Stars for Charity in Warsaw.

It also helped that the dancers and two student choreographers — Malori McDaniels and Kayanna Sechrest — rehearsed 19 times in recent months — far more than the other nine competing teams.

[caption id="attachment_107562" align="alignright" width="350"] Griffin Heckaman lifts a smiling Karris Nissley during their second performance at the Dancing with the Stars for Charity on Saturday. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The annual event, hosted by Kensington Digital Media, attracted a sold-out crowd at Warsaw Performing Arts Center and generated $25,000 that will go to the top winners, Giving Basics, and nine other local charity groups in Kosciusko County.

The organization aims to connect Americans to people in difficult circumstances in other parts of the world, and provide clean water, food and educational resources.

The audience and four judges were left in awe of the winning dance couple's spins, flips, and lifts that were part of both of their performances.

Nissley immediately ran off the stage after the announcement to celebrate with friends in the audience before talking about her experience.

She said she had hesitations before committing to the contest.

 “I’m not a dancer. Believe it or not, it took blood sweat and tears and five to six months of two days, sometimes three days a week, coming to practice,” Nissley said. “I ran in high school and college so that helped a little bit with my endurance but I would never expected to be given this opportunity or even win – this is just crazy – I’m so excited.”

[caption id="attachment_107566" align="alignright" width="500"] From left, the winning team includes dancer Karris Nissley, student choreographers Malori MchDaniels and Kayanna Secrest and dancer Griffin Heckaman. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Nissley is 21, recently graduated from Grace College and works in digital marketing for Silveus Insurance Group.

She said she thought all the teams were practicing as much as they did.

“It really paid off and honestly, it’s all due to the choreographers. They’re an amazing group of high school girls. They’re going to go far,” she said. 

Heckaman said he was feeling blessed afterward.

“It was an incredible experience. I have loved all of it, even the challenges and it’s an incredible blessing to come and be able to represent an awesome charity and to help out the community,” Heckaman said.

Asked about his athleticism and strength that made some of the moves possible, Heckaman chuckled and said, “It’s all God-given gifts, so I’m just glad I could use it for something good.”

The 28-year-old is an Edgewood Middle School math teacher and part of the high school football coaching staff that competed in the state finals just a few weeks ago.

“It’s been an incredible year. It’s a blessing and memories that will last a lifetime,” he said.

Other charities receiving support via teams included:

• Boomerang Backpacks

• Fear is a Liar Ministries

• Fellowship Missions

• Food Bank of Northern Indiana

• Giant Paw Prints Rescue

• Habitat for Humanity Kosciusko County

• Kosciusko Community Senior Services

• myTeam Triumph

• Project Ebenezer

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