Marian dance, cheer perform at national, state competition
BrookeHerdzina
On Feb. 2-4, Marian’s dance team competed in Orlando, Florida at the UDA National Dance Team Championship. The team began practicing for Nationals in August. “Once we first learn our dances, we get straight to preparing them for nationals,” freshman Alexus Rodriguez said.
The team made through the first round of preliminaries to the semi finals. This competition helped to bring the dancers closer together “the adrenaline to perform just gets all of us so excited which makes the bonding time even better!” Rodriguez said. This competition, under the direction of coaches Chelsea Vorland Gran and Taylor Johnson, helped the girls build their skills and confidence while also leaving them with lasting memories with their teammates. “Supporting each other before we go on is truly the best feeling in the world,” Rodriguez said about the experience.
Shortly after dance nationals, the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship was also held in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 15. In preparation for the competition, Marian cheer coaches Kayleigh Hansen and Fayth Jackson helped cheerleaders build their confidence and stage presence. “Performing on a national stage is very nerve racking and takes a lot of confidence. Marian always encourages our confidence,” sophomore Rosie Flores said. The girls began training in June and started learning the cheer choreography in the beginning of July to perfect it for the competition in the spring.
During the performance, the team had zero deductions and ended up placing 11th overall. The competition helps to connect the girls as athletes and a team as well as building camaraderie and trust. These values help to build a successful cheer team that puts forth successful athletes and team players.
After nationals, from Feb. 15-17, the Select Cheer team and the Varsity Dance team went to the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island for the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance competition. The Select Cheer team ended the Class A Traditional routine category competition in third place to wrap up their season.
Varsity Dance competed in the Class A Medium category and earned 9th place for their Pom routine and 10th place for their Jazz routine.
The Crusader dance team poses in front of the ESPN nationals. The team competed on Feb. 2-4 in Orlando, Florida. Photo courtesy of Alexus Rodriquez.
The cheer team poses before performing in the UCA Nationals in Florida. The team competed on Feb. 15 and placed 15th. Photo courtesy of Rosie Flores.
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