Dance team competes in first competition

After practices since the beginning of the year, the newly created dance team had the chance to participate in its first dance competition in Fair Oaks, a city near Sacramento, on Feb 1. The results of the competition weren’t available when the Falcon went to press.

“I thought that the team did amazing for our first competition,” junior co-captain Madison Seagraves said. “Everyone really stepped up, and worked hard the whole week [before the competition].”

The seven-member team performed the routine they have been practicing since the start of the year. Their routine is hip-hop themed and consists of various turns, leaps, tutting, tricks and big arm and leg movements. They dance to a mix that includes various hip-hop songs such as “Leader” by Nicki Minaj and “Summertime Sadness” by Lana del Rey.

The team, however, faced one main obstacle at the competition. During the performance, the DJ accidentally played an old mix instead of a newer one. Because of this, the dancers were confused when in the middle of their routine, the beat of the mix changed into the beat of the old mix.

Luckily, the dancers soon realized that the mix was wrong, looked at one another and picked up from the same spot to finish the rest of the routine strongly. 

“It was kind of embarrassing because we were sort of just standing there for five to ten seconds [when the old mix started playing],” freshman Caroline Li said. 

Besides the group dance, Seagraves also performed a solo routine in a separate part of the competition. Seagraves said it was her first time performing that specific routine, and she was very nervous. 

“[The gym floor] caused me to not nail all my turns, but now that I know that, I will be better prepared for the next competition,” Seagraves said.

The team’s second competition was on Feb. 8 at Monta Vista High School. The Falcons have a chance at qualifying for nationals depending on how they perform.