The Bomber Dance Team has kicked off the season with a preview show on their home floor. With the crowd filling the stands the team put together their routines to show off to fans. Although it wasn’t a competition, nerves were high nonetheless. This was the first time showing off their new dances for the season. The Bomber Dance Team was excited to show what they had been working on so far this season. Although it is not a competition, there were section 1A teams there to perform. Based on the performance, the team is excited for the rest of the season.
In addition to the preview, the Bomber Dance Team hosted their first competition of the season, which also took place on their home floor. At the competition were three other section 1A teams competing: Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Lake City, and Wabasha-Kellogg. The team put up their best performances and ended up with a 1st place plaque for their kick routine and a 2nd place plaque for their jazz routine. After the successful day the Bomber Dance Team is looking forward to the rest of the season.
Senior Kendra Reed, a member of the leadership team, has been a part of the team since 7th grade. The Bomber Dance Team has some strong goals set for this season after having a successful season this past year. “My season goals are to improve more and more every week. As well as advance to the state tournament in both kick and jazz,” Reed explained. The team works very hard inside and outside of practice perfecting their routine so it is competition ready. “A day at practice consists of a workout that varies from cardio endurance to strength training. Then we will stretch and work on dances. Occasionally we do various team bonding [activities] and journaling,” Reed noted. The team also runs a mile once a week to work on cardio endurance so they can last throughout the entire routine.
Some athletes on the team have struggled with injury the past few weeks including sophomore Aviah Wells. Injuries can be difficult to cope with, physically and mentally, because you’re not able to do what you love. After having to limit herself for a couple of weeks after preview, Wells was back and ready to compete in the home competition last weekend. “Mentally having to remind myself to take breaks or not go as hard as I’m used to has been a challenge and physically not being able to do everything that my teammates have been doing has been difficult,” Wells explained. The girls on the team are extremely close due to only losing four seniors the past two years. “The team chemistry is getting better every year. Team bonding is a big help to our team to perform better because we are all in this together. Our coaches often tell us, ‘we are only as strong as our weakest dancer’ and that’s why everyone working together and being one close team is extremely important,” Wells noted.
Being a 7th grader on the team can be difficult, dancing side by side with seniors who have nearly 6 years of experience. Lizzie Tipton, a 7th grader on the varsity team has shown that it is possible. “My season has been good so far, sometimes it’s a little challenging but I’m really enjoying it,” Tipton explained. It is challenging when someone doesn’t have as much experience as her teammates around her. Tipton is most looking forward to bonding with everyone on the team and the competitions.
After a successful preview show with a huge crowd in the stands, the Bomber Dance Team was excited for the first competition on their home floor with some of their biggest competitions still to come. With good results at the first competition, the team is ready for the rest of the season. The girls have put in a tremendous amount of work both in and out of practice to perfect the routines for upcoming competitions. The team is eager for the season they have in store and will continue to work throughout the next couple months to get ready for the Section Championship this upcoming February.