February 11, 2013
Along with the Avila
Cheerleaders, the Avila University Dance Team had also qualified for the
College Dance Nationals at the beginning of the season. On Thursday, January 17th, the dance team
made their way to Orlando, Florida to check into the Disney Resort. The College
Dance Nationals were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports; the Josten’s Arena
specifically for the dancers. “I felt really good when we got down to Florida.
I wasn’t as nervous as I normally am, which surprised the girls,” said Cindy
Freeman, head coach of the Avila Dance Team. Upon arrival, the dancers parted
to their rooms to get settled. “Thursday night we just kind of hung out, got
used to everything and unpacked. We practiced that night and went to the venue
to get on the warm up floor and run over some things,” said Brianna Gilmour,
junior at Avila University. Thursday night was mostly for relaxing and getting
ready for what was to come on Saturday—the competition. “We spent Thursday just trying to relax and get a
feel of the arena and our surroundings,” said Kori Weatherspoon, sophomore at
Avila University. Friday was a day to forget about the nerves and have a good
time. The Dance Team went to the Disney parks that day for some quality team
bonding. After a full day at the parks, there was an annual Team Builder that
the coaches surprised the girls with every year. The dancers knew they needed
to get to bed early; they would be waking up at six in the morning to get ready
for the competition. “Friday night is usually a restless night—I run the
routine in my head a million times and it gives me butterflies,” said
Weatherspoon. “I got up on Saturday and I was very excited—very calm,” said
Freeman, confident in her dancers and their performances that day. When the
dancers arrived to the arena, the first thing was to go behind stage and warm
up. “It’s always nerve-racking to see all of the teams that are going before
you, especially if they’re good. Sometimes it also boosts your confidence,”
said Weatherspoon. After a great semi-final performance, the numbers were in
and the Avila Dancers had made it to finals. “I wasn’t going to let the girls
know how they finished, but because of where they were Mandy (the assistant
coach) and I decided they needed to know. I told them they were in third and
that got them really fired up,” said Freeman. Freeman took the team to an open
spot in the venue—this is where they had a hardcore two hour practice. Because
of their placement, the team and the coaches had more confidence and drive to
make this routine perfect. “I felt really good going into the finals for
hip-hop. Knowing our place really got me excited to get on the stage and give
it my all,” said Weatherspoon. The dancers, for the last performance of finals,
went on the stage around nine-thirty and finished the hip-hop division in third
place. Though, the competition was not over for the Avila Dance Team. After a
long day, the girls made it back to their rooms and instantly hit the beds. Saturday
was successful and they were more than prepared to take on Sunday. They had
Jazz finals early in the morning. “When we woke up on Sunday, we were confident
about the jazz finals. We knew this was the last routine we had to do, so we
were ready to give it our all,” said Gilmour. “I had a good feeling going into
the Jazz finals. The girls had the confidence that they needed from placing so
well in hip-hop,” said Freeman. The dancers were ready to go; knowing they only
had this last dance to leave on the stage. The Avila Dance Team finished fifth
in Jazz finals, ultimately placing top five in both of their routines. “I’m so
proud of the girls, they all worked so hard. It was an awesome year,” said
Gilmour. “It was just an amazing trip and I am super proud of them. I can’t
wait to see what we bring next year,” said Freeman. With no seniors on
the dance team this year, the team will spend this next year becoming even more
prepared to take the floor at nationals. Freeman is excited to see this year’s
junior take their true leadership spots as seniors because she knows that they
will do a great job forming the next year’s team. With a third and a fifth
place title, the Avila Dance Team is ready to bring on next season.
Photo by Universal Dance Association
Photos by Karen Gilmour
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