Returning from nationals in Orlando, Florida, the dance team looks to compete in IHSDTA solo ensemble state tomorrow morning. The girls competed in the NDA Nationals Championship on Feb. 14-16.

Several practices and training sessions went on throughout the whole week.

“We had studio practices throughout the week for three hours on average,” senior team captain Emma Meyers said. “We would focus kind of evenly on each dance, so an hour on pom, an hour on jazz and then we would run a full out at the end and do the entire routine.”  

Competing against around two hundred other teams at nationals, Munster placed fourth in medium varsity gameday, fourth in large varsity pom and fourteenth in large varsity jazz.

Before every competition, the girls prepare not only their bodies, but also their minds.

“We do a lot of team talks,” Meyers said. “We get in a big circle and we talk as a team. I tell them, ‘There’s nothing to lose’ and ‘You are so prepared for this.’”

“Before we go on stage, I always take three deep breaths with the team,” junior team captain Gwneyth Cox said.

After each performance, the girls were able to rewatch the film and reflect on their performance.

“Right as you walk out, there’s a tunnel of parents,” Cox said. “All the parents are cheering and everyone is watching you. Sometimes, obviously, I’m out of breath, but sometimes the excitement takes over and I’m just happy.”

“Watching it back feels very bittersweet, but it feels so great to see how well we did,” senior Jurnee Banks said.

Captains Meyers and Cox look to perform in solo and ensemble events at state tomorrow morning in the fieldhouse.

Both will be performing in the senior solo category as well as ensemble.

“I focus on always striving to be better,” Meyers said. “I’m a big goal-setter and I set a lot of goals for myself. I’ve always wanted to improve and get better.”

“I try focusing on living in the moment and not just trying to finish the dance and having fun while I’m dancing,” Cox said.