Spelling out another FMS dance national title
The 14-member squad won first in pom and second in jazz under the guidance of second-year head coach Macy Brink, who was aided by assistant coach Laura Warrington.
“I’m so proud of these girls,” said Brink, who noted the team began practicing in earnest last June with six new members. “I am not their mom, but I could not be more proud of them.”
Team members are Caroline Seagraves, Cameron Simmons, Piper Belcher, Maggie Barber, Natalee Mack, Sadie Floyd, Lydia Finnegan, Sydney Derr, Emma Kate Kilpatrick, Sarah Shoup, Lydia McCurry, Mary Ella Wendell, Cate Fowler and Ella Marie Lambert.
Pom choreographer is Sarah Harrington and dance team sponsor is Farragut Middle School teacher Elizabeth Wilson.
“Nearly half the team were new team members,” Brink said. “We had months and months of preparation where we started to mold into a team and work toward this goal.”
The team won a TSSAA state title in December, which set them on course to Orlando and nationals.
There, in the junior high category, the girls “were proud of how they performed in the semi-final round,” Brink shared.
“They knew the goal was within reach and attainable, going into the finals, and their performance was perfection,” the coach added. “When they walked off that floor, they had done their very best and knew they had, so then to win the prize was just the cherry on top. For me, to see how hard they have worked and how much growth they have shown has just been really amazing. I have never seen a closer group of young individuals who have been so eager, so motivated and so determined.”
Brink also is head coach for the Farragut High School dance team, which also won their state title division and competed at Nationals.
The FHS dance team made it all the way to the finals in an extremely competitive division.
“It takes a village,” Brink said. “We have wonderful assistant coaches and school sponsors, and our entire Farragut coaching staff made it possible. I couldn’t do it without them.
“I could not be more proud of the Farragut dance program,” the head coach added. “It is compiled not only of
26 phenomenally dedicated dancers, but also 26 incredible humans.”
