Nation’s Best at FMS
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FMS Dance Team Coach Macy Brink with eighth graders, from left, Natalie Mahoney, Mary Aspin Scott, Isabelle McCaleb, Cassidy Stickley, Drew Patterson and Marlee Pyle. - Photos submitted
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Farragut Middle School dance team became National Champions after capturing first place in junior high pom during Universal Dance Association’s 2022 National Dance Team championship held at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Sunday, Feb. 6. Posing with their trophy while wearing their satin Nationals jackets and holding head coach Macy Brink, members in the back row, from left, are Cate Fowler, Natalee Mack, Piper Belcher, Sydney Derr, Sadie Floyd, Caroline Seagraves, Lydia Finnigan and Mary Ella Wendell, Front row, from left, are eighth-graders Mary Aspin Scott (captain), Cassidy Stickley, Natalie Mahoney, Marlee Pyle, Isabelle McCaleb and Drew Patterson (captain). - Photos submitted
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Dance team moms who dressed up as Disney characters for the Knoxville send-off included, from left, Heather Mahoney, Megan Belcher, Dorry Floyd, Keri Stickley and Laura Patterson. - Photos submitted
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Four FMS Dance Team members, from left, Natalie Mahoney, Mary Aspin Scott, Cassidy Stickley and Drew Patterson, were also members of the team when it won first place in pom and second in Jazz at the Nationals in 2020. - Photos submitted
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FMS Dance Team found some time for fun, too, during their trip to Walt Disney World, and are pictured with Cinderella’s Castle. - Photos submitted
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Moms who had a little fun while supporting their daughters at Walt Disney World included, bottom row from left, Dorry Floyd, Keri Stickley, Megan Belcher, Nicki McCaleb and Stephanie Giles; middle row, from left, Suzanne Wendell, Lea Ann Seagraves, Heather Mahoney, Candee Fowler, Marla Finnegan and Lauren Mack; and top row, from left, Toni Scott and Laura Patterson (inside the phone booth). - Photos submitted
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Dressed in their jazz ensembles. The team came in second at nationals in this category. - Photos submitted
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FMS Dance Team Coach Macy Brink, left, and choreographer Sarah Harrington, who is a graduate of Bearden High School. - Photos submitted
Farragut Middle School dance team leapt its way to a national championship Sunday, Feb. 6, in Orlando, Florida.
The 14-member squad, comprised of Drew Patterson (captain), Mary Aspin Scott (captain), Cassidy Stickley, Natalie Mahoney, Marlee Pyle, Isabelle McCaleb, Lydia Finnegan, Sydney Derr, Caroline Seagraves, Sadie Floyd, Piper Belcher, Mary Ella Wendell, Cate Fowler and Natalee Mack won first place in junior high pom and second place in junior high jazz during the Universal Dance Association’s 2022 National Dance Team championship held at Walt Disney World Resort.
“We went out and did the best we could, the best way we could, and overcame some significant challenges to win,” Mary Aspin said.
They beat 14 other teams for the title during two day of competition on ESPN’s Wide World of Sports arena, located within the theme park where family and friends and were cheering them toward success.
It actually was the second time the team had come home with a national title trophy, having also won first place in pom and second place in jazz in 2020. Last year, the event was held virtually and during a time frame interfering with dance team tryouts, and the squad didn’t participate.
“Because of that, it was a really nice opportunity to be able to do it again,” said Drew, who, along with Natalie, Mary Aspin and Cassidy were on the winning 2020 team.
“It was a really great experience, but I would not want to have been with any other team,” Mary Aspin said of this season’s championship.
“Our team is the most bonded one I have ever known. We not only enjoy being around each other, we are more like a family — the best family,” she added.
“The main thing I would say is so special is our bond and our commitment to each other,” Drew said. “I don’t know just one relationship — we are all there for each other and loving each other, always. It’s just a huge blessing.”
Between their closeness, hundreds of hours of practice and the unwavering support of their families, the girls also credited their choreographer, Sarah Harrington, and their first-year head coach, Macy Brink, for their award-winning season.
“Our coach is literally wonderful and a terrific role model,” Drew said. “All the time and energy and effort she put in — I can’t imagine Farragut dance without her.
“I feel like it all was possible because of her and our (school) sponsor, Elizabeth Wilson (who also is new this year). They both helped a lot.”
“She completely invested in us,and was always prepared and supported us — I don’t think we could have asked for a better coach,” Mary Aspin added.
Brink, a 2018 University of Tennessee graduate and instructor at Revolutions Dance Studio, said she began coaching the team in May 2021 and was “very humbled” by the national win.
“We have also had a lot of support from our parents and families, and the administration and other school sports teams,” she added.
