With new coaches, new look, dancers aim high for State

Sophomore Scott Sesterhenn and senior Kassy Salmon break it down at the dance team exhibition on Saturday, Nov. 14. Taylor Miller Photo

Jayne Durnin/Staff Writer

This weekend the CFHS dance team will be setting out to impress judges with two dance routines at the state dance competition.
This year’s team, led by senior captains Amelia McMurrin, Chelsea Hilpipre, Brianna Glenn and Megan Pattee, is entered in the hip-hop dance competition and the pom dance competition.

“Our dances are really strong this year, so we’re really excited to see how we do, especially in pom. Our pom routine is intense,” McMurrin said.

For the hip-hop dance, the CF squad is trying out an edgier look.

“The hip-hop routine is a little out of the ordinary. Instead of being really cutesy, we’re going more gangster,” Hilpipre said.

“The hip-hop routine is really fun,” sophomore Morgan Fairman said. “We get to wear bandanas and amazing shoes; we look way gangster.”

Different from past years, the team will be showing off their masculine side.

“We have an all-male team for the first time this year,” coach Gayle Bruene said. “They are entered in the large school all-male open.”

“The guys are kinda goofy and just like to have fun with it,” Fairman said.

“We’ve tried to do all-male in past years, but it never actually came together. Most of the guys have been really committed this year, though, and they all love performing. They’ll definitely be getting the crowd’s attention,” McMurrin said.

Last year the team took second place in hip-hop and third in the pom dance.

“Our goal going into this is to be the best we can be. Another team goal is to get Division I ratings,” Bruene said, “and we will are going to do our best to place.”

“We practice five times a week now, and the girls are only getting stronger and better,” Hilpipre said.

In addition to an all-male team, the dance team also has two new coaches.

“I am really proud of our team because it’s been really hard on us losing our coaches last year and getting two new coaches, but we have made the best out of the situation and have become an amazing team,” junior Alexa Deines said.

“We have a very experienced, hardworking team and great leadership by our seniors,” Bruene said.

The team performed on Dec. 4 last year at the Veterans Stadium in Des Moines. The CF pom routine took third place in its division, tying with Des Moines Dowling, and the hip hop routine took second place behind Linn-Mar.