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Going to the big dance

Cheerleaders, dancers get ready for State Spirit Competition this weekend

David Pressgrove

The Moffat County High School Dance and Cheer teams spend most of the school year entertaining and cheering others.

But their full-uniform practices Tuesday were in preparation for a weekend the teams get all to themselves.

“We’ve been practicing for more than a month on this competition routine,” said Michelle Armstrong, senior cheerleading captain. “When we put on our uniforms, it gets it in our minds that state is coming soon.”



Both teams compete Saturday at the Colorado State Spirit Competition in Denver.

“We’re down to fixing the final small things,” senior dancer Emily Sperl said.



“Unfortunately, it’s the same things we have been working on since the start,” senior Kelsey Bauman said.

After going through their routine at least four times, the dancers were upbeat about their chances to improve on last year’s 10th-place finish.

“We learned a lot about what it took last year,” senior Nicole McIntyre said. “Our routine is much better and a lot faster.”

The dance team’s theme is “country elegance.” Team members chose to choreograph their performance to a mix of country music. Their routine was performed at halftime of a couple football games.

The three seniors said their state performance will look better than the halftime ones because of a more coordinated look.

“We’ll all have similar makeup and hair that looks Western,” McIntyre said.

“We chose country elegance because we think it represents where we’re from, and it’s original,” Bauman said.

The dancers said that none of the routines they saw last year included country music.

“Being original is important,” Sperl said. “There are so many other factors that go into it though. From what we’ve done, we are hoping for a top-five finish.”

In their second year of competition, the dancing ‘Dogs are in the Small Pom division. They compete at 4 p.m.

Although this is only the second year for the dance team to compete, the cheerleaders are veterans at the spirit championships.

“Last year we had to make several last-minute changes, and it didn’t go so well,” Armstrong said. “We know what it takes.”

The team has had to make adjustments because of injuries and absences, but none as drastic and as late as last year.

“I think everything but stunts are excellent right now,” said Armstrong, the only senior on the squad. “We’re a little nervous about stunts, but we still have some time.”

The girls are competing in the all-girl Class 4A division, which has more than 30 teams. It will be their first public performance of the routine.

“The first time I think you are the most focused,” Armstrong said.

The routine is full of tumbling, cheering and stunting.

“Last year, some girls lost it a bit,” Armstrong said. “This year, we are hoping for top 15.”

The cheerleaders are scheduled to perform just before 4 p.m. Saturday.

David Pressgrove can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 211 or dpressgrove@craigdailypress.com


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