The SMU Pom Squad, defending National Dance Alliance champions, practiced its current nationals routine in front of fans and competitors last Sunday in preparation to uphold the title this April in Daytona, Fla.
The team participated in the annual Pom Squad and Cheer Nationals Showoffs, hosted by the SMU Spirit Squad, in Moody Coliseum in order to gain experience performing in front of an audience.
“It’s really important for the girls to feel what it’s like dancing in front of a crowd,” team captain Melissa McDowell said. “It really helps to get rid of the nerves.”
The pressure to meet expectations created by last year’s accomplishments is high for the team as it faces a week of tough competition.
“Our division gets tougher each year with more and more talented teams,” coach Lori Todd said. “Everyone is coming to take that title away from us.”
In addition to the anxiety of maintaining their top Division 1A position, Todd has experienced the daunting task of balancing the squad and the newest addition to her family.
“There was a huge challenge this year for the girls as I was pregnant and on maternity leave for almost three months,” Todd said. “So they really didn’t see me much until the spring semester. Melissa, the captain, and Brittany [Kemper], the co-captain, did an unbelievable job running the team in my absence.”
While Todd seems optimistic of the team’s chances for success, members of the squad note the challenges that lay ahead.
“We lost a lot of talented and experienced NDA dancers last year and we’ve had to work harder to make up for it,” Heather Crabtree, junior team member, said. “I think we’re doing great so far. As we prepare for nationals the morale is high because we are leaving for Daytona soon and are getting excited to defend our title.”
In spite of recent difficulties, members of the team rallied in support of their coach.
“We’re so excited for Lori and her adorable new baby girl,” McDowell said. “I know it’s been stressful for her this year, and the whole team has been really great in supporting her: we all stepped up our game to help out.”
Although this year presented a number of challenges for the squad, team members find other aspects of SMU Pom to be well worth it.
“Pom has been great this year for so many reasons. Our captain is a junior, as opposed to the usual senior, and has really lead our team well because she hasn’t been focused on graduation and her life after SMU like previous captains,” Crabtree said. “Also, we had a winning football team so that got everyone excited to come to games and help cheer on our Mustangs.”
The team will compete in Florida from April 7-11 in the Division 1A category, against college dance teams from all over the country.
“I believe one advantage we have this year is that most of the girls have competed in Daytona before so they know what to expect,” Todd said. “They already know what is expected of them and how hard they have to fight to win.”
