Dance couple 223 floated across the hardwood floor. Newcomers to the second annual Special Olympics Indiana Championships for Ballroom Dancing, the only father-daughter dance team performed the waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, swing and rumba.

Mick Jackson, 55, and his daughter Tifany, 26, both of Bluffton, commanded the attention of hundreds of spectators, along with about 50 other dancers, in the Special Olympics and USA Dance partnership event Sunday.

The Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., was transformed into a ballroom to accommodate Special Olympics participants and their dance partners. Each couple could participate in up to five dances. They were separated into heats and identified by their numbers. A team of judges determined finishes throughout the competition, which began shortly after 10:15 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m.

Tifany, who had several friends also competing, asked Mick to be her dance partner, and they've been practicing ever since.

“I was kind of nervous at first, but it's really fun,” Tifany said.

After private lessons and two months of practicing, the Jacksons competed in the first section of the competition. They earned fifth place in their waltz heat and sixth place in their foxtrot heat.

“It takes a big commitment. You use a lot of muscles you don't usually use,” Mick said. “It would've been easy to quit, but we didn't. We're having a great time. I'm really proud of my daughter.”

Event Organizer Vivian Hans said the dancers, ranging in age from 17 to 56, more than doubled participation from last year.

Special Olympics ballroom dancing is unique to Indiana, she said.

“This is their day. We're here for them to dance,” Hans said.

USA Dance President and Event Chairman of Judges Peter Pover said USA Dance is a nationwide association of volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of ballroom dancing in the United States.

He gave words of encouragement to dancers in attendance.

“If you don't win, keep smiling,” he said.