Farragut dance team benefiting from UT inspiration
But these were not screams of triumph or defeat. Rather, they were screams of pure joy and admiration, as the University of Tennessee dance team went through its routine with Farragut’s own teenage dancers watching and cheering.
UT’s presence was part of its annual performance at a local high school, where the Vols’ dancers — including two local products in Bearden alumnus Jordan James and Webb graduate Island Shuler — perfect their steps before the Universal Dance Association’s national collegiate competition in mid-January.
“It’s really important for us to have opportunities to replicate that pressure, and you can’t do that in a studio,” said Tennessee dance coach Kelley Tafazzoli. “You have to have an audience and an authentic environment. So going to local schools gives us a chance to practice and showcases the talent we have here in Knoxville too. Having their support really means a lot.”
It was also effective, as UT took fifth in Division 1A Pom and sixth in Division 1A Jazz during a competition that went from Jan. 16-18 at Walt Disney World. Meanwhile, UT’s cheer squad took home a national title in the Division IA Co-ed Gameday category.
FHS will look for similar success from Feb. 6-8, competing in the preliminary round of the Division I competition on Friday at 8:10 a.m. for Jazz and 1:30 for Pom. The competition can be watched at TV.Varsity.com, though there is a fee.
“Every year, our nationals competition is a couple weeks after college nationals, so it’s super inspirational for us to get to watch UT,” said Farragut dance coach Macy Brink.
Several FHS coaches, inclu ding Brink, danced for Tennessee at one point, while Tafazzoli and her choreographer both worked for FHS in previous stints.
Also, Tennessee had a Farragut graduate on its team as recently as last year in former UT and FHS dancer Bridget Gibson.
“It’s been a long legacy of Farragut being inspired by Tennessee,” Brink added. “So there’s a big correlation.”
