As the formation takes center stage and the crowd turns its attention to the team of girls, they remain still, anticipating the split-second between the silence and the music. The next second turns into a whirlwind as sound and motion signal their routine, and this group of elite dancers displays their best moves, never failing to shock their fellow classmates.
While four seniors and a handful of juniors returned from their 7A state championship last November, the dance team has given the time and effort to build a successful program. A normal week for a dancer would include 6:30 a.m. practices until the end of first block, two-hour practices after school on Thursdays and more on Saturday. While the work schedule may seem unnecessary to some, it has become one of the most crucial aspects of the team’s success, as it took first place ratings in all three categories, jazz, hip hop and pom, in the state championship last year.
“I think our strongest category is probably going to be pom,” junior Lexi Summers said. “Our other two are pretty strong, but we’re a solid pom team. Most of our skills in pom, everyone executes a lot better than they do in jazz just because they might be the same skill or same turn. But the one in pom, since it’s a lot more cleaner and sharper, it’s a lot more together.”
As the team prepares for its first invitational of the season Saturday in Jonesboro, Summers said they expect to win, no matter the competition.
“Definitely to win state is our No. 1 thing, but also to do well at each invitational,” she said. “Our goal is to get first in hip hop, pom and jazz in every each invitational, and if there’s an overall trophy, we want that too.”
As a senior, Autumn Hurley said she understands the rivalry of other teams around the state.
“Our main competition is Bentonville; they won our sophomore year,” she said. “We’re just nervous about this year because they really want it again.”
Summers also said the state’s best dancing programs include more than just Bentonville.
“Bentonville’s our No. 1 one rival; they probably always will be. Fayetteville’s also 7A, so we worry about them sometimes,” she said. “Jonesboro is a competition because they went to Nationals last year. Normally, we’re the only team in the state going to Nationals, so them going brought up the competition.”
The team travels to Orlando, Fla. every February for the National Dance Team Championships sponsored by the Universal Dance Association. Last year, they placed 15th in the nation in the Large Varsity Pom division and 12th in the Large Varsity Hip Hop division.
While the sport requires practice and preparation, the team has found composure during performances in each other. During their routines, the girls commonly yell to each other.
“Our main thing as a team to keep everyone focused is to talk to each other. Not only to remind each other of certain stuff, but also to remember that you’re in this moment, you’re not worried about other things. Your mind is focused on this,” Summers said. “So we’ll be screaming to each other while walking to our formation about all the stuff you have to remember and to keep the energy up.”
For sophomore Hadley Balisterri, the constant energy between each dancer calms her down.
“Knowing that your team’s around you makes it easier,” she said.
While Hurley may participate in the ritual, she said she usually finds herself dancing on her own.
“Most of the time, I feel like I’m dancing with my eyes closed,” she said. “I know I’m not, but it just feels like I’m in my own bubble.”
Whether each dancer is like Summers, who has danced since 3-years-old, or Hurley, who decided to switch from cheer in the seventh grade, every member of the team has proven her ability to continue the winning tradition.
