Photo by Elle Karras
The Varsity Lancer Dancers are heading to Orlando, Fla. for the National Dance Association (NDA) National Competition Feb. 22-24.
According to Head Coach Alexis “Bubba” Close, though teams in years past have been hard workers, the girls on this particular team have been focused on helping each other learn moves to create better overall team going into Nationals.
“There is a lot of personal responsibility to not only be the best dancers they can possibly be, but they also want to be the best team members that they can possibly be,” Close said. “I really see a big drive from this team across the board. They see the goal in sight and they are going to do what it takes to get there.”
Close says that not only is this team determined, but they perform well under pressure.
“I think the girls are more confident about their dances than they have been in a long time,” Close said. “You can prepare them as much as possible and once you get there the nerves just turn everything to mush. This particular group seems to be able to power through any of those nerves.”
Though NDA is a high stress event, Senior and Varsity Lancer Dancer Maggie Mulligan said that practicing in Universal Studios and dancing by the river that runs through the park makes Nationals an incredible experience.
“I can’t explain how magical it is,” Mulligan said. “When you are there you just want to win. Motivations go up higher because you see all of the other teams. It is surreal.”
According to Mulligan, their Nationals dances are on the darker side this year. For example, their kick dance is to “Run Boy Run” which Mulligan describes as “dark and mysterious”. They also wear dark red costumes to go with the deeper music. Their hip hop is unique this year as well. Though it doesn’t have a theme, like in years past, Mulligan says it is “super swag”
“I don’t want to jinx anything, but I have a very good feeling that we are going to place really well,” Mulligan said.
In previous years their competition season didn’t begin until January, according to Close. But this year, the Lancer Dancers headed to Columbia. MO to compete in the NDA Battle Spirit Regional Championship on Dec. 15.
Having their Nationals dances prepared for the December competition, in turn, has made the girls more confident in their dances. The Varsity team placed first in both jazz and hip hop and took second in kick.
“We had to push ourselves to be further along than we normally are and I think that has had a great effect on how we were ready for our competition,” Close said.
Their most recent competition, Miss Kansas, took place Jan. 20 and 21 at Olathe South. The team took home the Best in Contest award, which is only given out to three teams. According to Close, it has been seven or eight years since they have done that well in the Miss Kansas competition.
Mulligan believes the common goal of placing well at Nationals and the camaraderie among this girls has made them the most passionate team she has been on her four years as a Lancer Dancer.
“I walk in everyday at 7 a.m. and everyone’s already warming up,” Mulligan said. “They just have their head in the game all of the time, but we are also really close. It makes it all fun.”