St. Ben’s dance team takes seventh at Nationals

The CSB dance team concluded their season with seventh-place finishes in both their pom and jazz routines at the Universal Dance Association’s College National Championships in Orlando on Jan. 15.

The team competed in the semifinals on Jan. 14 and then advanced to finals the next day. The competition, which was held at Disney World, served as a reflection of the team’s hard work throughout the season.

“It is always such a rewarding experience to not only perform on the Nationals stage, but watch all of the other incredible teams that are there,” senior captain Tori Rynerson said.

Rynerson felt she had one of her best performances of the season and left the floor with no regrets. She also said the team went in with a lot more confidence than previous years, and it showed during their performances.

“We truly enjoyed every moment we were on that stage and displayed our hard work and drive to succeed,” Rynerson said.

One of Rynerson’s favorite moments from the trip was the feeling the team had when they walked off the stage after pom semifinals because they all knew they left everything out on the floor. Seeing her coach become emotional because of how proud she was made her realize how far the team had come this season. Reflecting on the season, Rynerson said the team focused on growth, progress and developing the confidence they have lacked in years prior.

“I would definitely say we were successful in that. Not only did we grow as dancers, but we all grew so much closer as friends and teammates. This team truly is my 13 best friends, and I loved being able to experience nationals with them,” Rynerson said.

Senior Allie Dempsey thought the trip to nationals was very inspiring because teams from across the country come to compete, and getting to go do what they all love is an amazing opportunity.

“We work so hard all year during practices, so getting to go and perform is an accumulation of all the effort and emotion we put into our routines,” Dempsey said.

Similar to Rynerson, Dempsey also said she had some of her best performances in Orlando and was proud she left Nationals with no regrets. She was also proud of her team for giving it their all. As a result of their hard work, the team knew they put everything they had into their routines. Dempsey said her favorite moment from the trip was when the team took the floor for finals.

“We haven’t always made it to the final round in both of our routines, so being able to be in the finals for both and performing our routines for the last time will be a memory that I will cherish forever,” Dempsey said.

Looking back on the season, Dempsey felt blessed she had the opportunity to dance with this team, saying that she already misses dancing with her teammates. Junior captain Elise Sande also enjoyed the inspirational trip to UDA Nationals.

“There’s nothing better than taking the floor with your best friends and seeing our hard work from the season come to fruition,” Sande said.

One of Sande’s favorite moments from the trip was hugging all her teammates after dancing at finals because they all knew they competed their best.

“After we perform, our families and spectators meet us outside the competition area, cheering so loud for us. The love and support they provide for us is unmatched,” Sande said.

When reflecting on the season, Sande remarked about the incredible resilience of her team and all the hard work her teammates put into the season. Head coach Anne Sumangil said the trip to nationals was an amazing opportunity for the team to bond and perform together on a competitive, national stage.

“The difference with dance, compared with other sports, is that when we are out on the floor we perform as one unit. It’s not about one person scoring all the points, it’s about the uniformity amongst the whole team, That’s difficult.”

Sumangil said the team’s two seniors, Tori Rynerson and Allie Dempsey.

“They have been with us for all four years,and we are grateful that they have shared their talent with us for this time,” Sumangil said.

Looking back on the season, Sumangil admired her team’s determination to grow and evolve.

“I am so blessed to be a part of a team where every dancer shows up to better themselves and their teammates in everything they do,” Sande said.