After securing first place at their recent competition in Alma, the varsity competition dance team is doubling down on training to prepare for upcoming events.

Led by Coach Symphony Lockard, the team is fine-tuning choreography, building stamina, and focusing on synchronization during daily practices. With high expectations following their early-season success, the dancers are determined to maintain their momentum as they compete in several regional competitions throughout the fall. Their next challenge awaits in just a few weeks, to continue their winning streak and secure a spot at state finals.

Although practicing and preparing are the most important, the athletes on the team say that sleep helps them get their minds straight before a competition, allows them to focus better and there is no stopping them from being on point.

“I get enough sleep so I can do my hardest and give my best at competitions,” said Alexis Davis (10).

Even though taking care of themselves physically and mentally is prioritized, the defending state champions do way more than dance and practice routines. Coach Lockard puts them through tough conditioning workouts to show them that becoming state champions again is not easy, everything is earned.

“We do lots of conditioning to make us sharper and stronger to make sure we win another state championship,” said Dayanara Andino (9).

The team is very prepared and they look forward to having a good season. Most of the dancers think they need to keep the same focus as the past three years since they know competition will be fierce.

“Our bigger struggle this year is to pursue a state championship even though we just won one. We still need to learn how to work that much harder to get another state championship because now everyone is after us and everyone wants to beat Heritage,” said Sydney Gaffney (11).