Despite a few bumps in the road and the short amount of practice time, the USA Dance team is ready to take the floor at the International Cheer Union World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida!
“We have survived several illnesses and problems in the last few weeks,” says Coach Lisa Spears. “From three cases of strep throat to a case of possible pink eye, the team has really pulled together over the past few weeks and focused on what needs to be done.”
After only a few weeks of practice for the competition, Tuesday marked last at home practice for the Team USA dancers. The group of 17 girls is finally ready to show off their hard work on Friday, April 24 when they compete for world titles in jazz, hip hop, and freestyle.
Lisa has high hopes for her team and is confident that they can bring home the gold for the United States. Most importantly, she hopes her team enjoys taking on the role as the first USA Dance team in history.
“More than anything, I hope they enjoy this experience and really take advantage of seeing other countries perform and meeting other dancers across the world,” she explains. “I want this to be a memory that will last a life time!”
As well as Lisa, the 17 USA dancers are also looking forward to the once in a lifetime experience. Here’s what they had to say about preparing for USA Nationals and how they see their team representing the United States of America:
“As a team, we have put 110% into our season and have seen great results from our hard work and dedication towards what we love to do. We have given that, if not more, in regards to Worlds preparation. There is no doubt that we will leave our absolute best out on the stage.”
– Paula Barclay
“Preparing for the first ever world championship shows that our team has been able to adapt to every challenge that has been thrown our way since coming back from the national championship. We had to learn a completely new style and routine to compete in the pom division. Also, we had to add time to our previous hip hop and jazz routines. Our team has been extremely successful in our preparation for this competition, and I believe our coaches will push us to be the best we can be.”
- Anna Merrifield
“The opportunity to compete in the first ever ICU World Championship is simply overwhelming. Dance has always been the forgotten sport and dancers and cheerleaders have long been taken for granted. This is an opportunity to make history and compete in this international competition honoring the one sport to which my teammates and I have dedicated our lives to. Our sport is finally being recognized internationally!”
- Amanda Kelley
“The preparation was tough because we started our season in July and have been going non-stop since then. It helped that we already had two strong routines to start with so when we learned the pom dance we could spend most of our time on that. Overall, the practices to prepare for World's are more demanding because we have to work on three routines instead of two, so our main focus has been keeping our strength and endurance. It will be worth it because once we get to Worlds we will be able to show three equally strong routines.”
-Emily Greenstone
“I see our team doing the best they possibly can! We are so confident with hip-hop and jazz - all we need is a few final touches on pom. I believe that everything is going to fall into place at the right time. I know we are going to be 101% prepared when we go out on the floor and it truly will be the best experience of our lives. I see our team giving it their all!”
- Samantha Cobb
"I feel that our team will be very successful at the ICU World Championship! Every team member is extremely dedicated to our goal and motto, ‘fight to the finish!’ We have prepared three amazing routines to compete and we are a team who strives to achieve excellence in every endeavor. We are truly honored to represent the United States of America, and I think our pride and passion will shine through in every performance."
-Megan Zugelder
“This team has worked so hard in preparation for the ICU Worlds Championship, but most importantly, we have become such a strong family. I believe that is so important with this dance team. We will connect on that stage and do the absolute best we can because we all share this unbreakable bond with one another. This family is ready to compete and share our hearts out there on that stage. No matter what place we come in, I know we will walk off that stage with no regrets and forever be the first USA team to compete at the ICU Worlds Championship. We are ready!”
-Stephanie Coy
“In preparing for our competition, it's just as much mental as it is physical. We have to prepare our bodies and improve our stamina, but if you don't have a strong mind behind it, it's very tough to get through these last few practices. If you tell yourself you can't do it, you won't. We have to believe in ourselves and stay positive no matter how hard practice gets or how tired we are. We are preparing to do our best mentally and physically. Since it is our first time competing in a competition like this, we are preparing to do our absolute best, no excuses.”
- Jamie Cobb
“I am so excited to be representing the United States in the first ever ICU World Championship! Our team has treated this opportunity like we are preparing for nationals all over again. It has been challenging to extend our season, but we are all so proud and excited. We are certain our hard work will pay off, and it is our hope that we make our country proud! We are anxious to meet and see international teams and proud to represent our school, city, state, and country. As it is my fifth year on the team, this will be such a memorable way to end my dancing career.”
-Jennifer Bernier
“I've mostly just been really excited to see what other teams are going to be bringing. Unlike our national competition, I have no idea what to expect from our world competition. We have just prepared ourselves the best way we know how and see where it will take us on the world stage.”
- Julie Dota
“I expect that our team will perform to the best of our ability at the ICU World Championship. We have practiced so hard and I know that it will pay off. I am confident that no matter what the results are, we will walk away from this experience with amazing memories that we will never forget. It has been such a privilege to be chosen as the first Team USA and I believe that is an accomplishment in itself.”
- Kelsey Hamada
“I feel honored practicing for the ICU World Championship. Although the practices are challenging, the fact that we have the privilege to be practicing for this event is an honor. Our team always has positive spirits, and when times get rough, we find ourselves cheering each other on screaming GO Team USA!"
- Chandra Miller
“I am very excited to become a part of history by competing in the first ever ICU World Championship. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so proud of the dedication of our team and coaching staff and cannot wait to represent the United States of America.”
- Kelli Barton
“I see our team doing very well at the first ever ICU World Championship. Our coaches don't let us leave things to chance. They have fully prepared us for this challenge, and we are at our best. Our team motto is ‘Fight to the Finish’ and we are ready to do so!”
- Morgan Deitsch
“I see my team executing three routines to the best of our ability and possibly taking home all three titles! We have worked so hard all year for this and can definitely represent the United States well. “
- Laura Herchline
“As the first team to represent the United States at the World Championship, we definitely feel the pressure to succeed. Luckily, our team thrives from the dedication and passion that is expected of a champion, and by setting our standards high, I think my teammates and I will perform to our best capability with our minds set on bringing home the gold!”
- Molly E Schellenberg
"We don't know what to expect going into the first ever world dance championship because this is something new for our team and for the world. What we do know is that we are going to prepare ourselves for anything and be the best that we can be because if we do that we will be successful."
-Hanah Patterson