The Oxford Chargerettes dance team had their state competition on Friday, Dec. 12. The Chargerettes received second place in the 6A and 7A Pom category, and sixth in 7A for Varsity Gameday.
“I felt relieved and grateful,” senior and captain Lucy Perry said. “We were shooting for top three all season and knowing that we performed the best we possibly could was all that mattered to me. The team worked so hard all season and we were so relieved after finally getting to show off all of our hard work.”
According to head coach Erin Boeni, the Chargerettes trained harder each week working up to the state competition in order to be confident in their routines.
“The training schedule before a big competition is always hard,” Boeni said. “It involves long days with school and practices late into the evening. It is hard on everyone, especially the girls and their bodies, but we do our best to stay positive. We know the outcome we want for this competition, so we stay focused on that.”
The dance team had to change their typical practice schedules in order to perform to the standards they hold themselves to for state.
“This season, the team focused a lot on conditioning and building stamina to prepare us for the long and hard practices leading up to state,” Perry said. “We had to be prepared to persevere through the hardest part of the season, and without that preparation, we would not have performed our best.”
The Chargerettes have worked through ups and downs, pushing through to get to the success that they achieved this season.
“Our biggest challenge this season was the transition in leadership,” senior and captain Kaityln McConnell said. “There was a lot of uncertainty going into the new season with new coaches, especially with the biggest team of Chargerettes we have ever seen. But our coaches have adapted so well, and I am thankful for the leadership of my Co-Captain, Lucy, for working with me to help make the transition of coaches as seamless as possible for the team, as well as our team moms who do so much to help us out.”
The dancers were able to build a strong team bond, creating a good dynamic that helped them achieve great success, according to McConnell.
“I think the chemistry of our team sets us apart from other teams,” McConnell said. “When your team can work together, and encourage each other throughout a challenging season, you have already won half of the battle. Teamwork truly makes the dream work.”
According to Boeni, the Chargerettes were able to stay collected before the competition due to the trust and confidence built by the coaches and teammates.
“Growing up in dance, I was always the girl who told jokes and made my teammates laugh before we had to perform,” Boeni said. “I think doing so made a “nerve-wracking” situation more bearable. So, I try to do the same thing with my dance girls. I give them an encouraging speech before they step out on the floor, but I also make sure they know that we can still joke and have fun. All of us coaches are ver proud of every one of those girls.”
