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Eagle Valley High dancers shine at first competition

Cindy Ramunno/Special to the Enterprise
Back row, left to right:Ê Iliana Mesa, Megan Matthews, Matty Ramunno, Brianna Lamson, Carol Dumolt, Chelsea Craig, Megan Ehrenberg, Bryonny Hiland.Ê
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Front row, left to right:- Molly Crocker, Brigitte Lowry, Ashley Woodworth, Marlis McChesney, Brenda Torres, Kendra Kahlow, Chelsea Linman.|Special to the Daily|

Watching the Eagle Valley High School Dance Team perform on a recent weekened was like watching Santa and his reindeer gracefully flying through the air.

Coach Cheryl McQuaid – Santa – signed the girls up for their first-ever competition since the team was started less than three years ago – and how they did fly. The team earned second place at the Colorado State Spirit Championships in the class 3A Pom Division, finishing behind the winners and defending champions from D’Evelyn High School.



Nine other schools competed in that division and the dancers in black and red triumphed at the Denver Coliseum with their grace, beauty and technique.

“I’m so proud of these girls and what they’ve accomplished,” said McQuaid. “They really pulled together as a team.”

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The girls brought their trophy to the high school’s administration to claim a spot in the glass cases that line the school’s cafeteria area. Principal Nelson Gould said the accomplishment was “awesome” and mentioned that he’s seen the dancers around the school practicing.

“Hard work equates to success and that’s what our dance team did,” Gould said. Assistant principal Jeff Lueders agreed, saying, “This type of success creates excitement in the school; the girls represented Eagle Valley well.”

Dance Team members are freshmen Molly Crocker, Bryonny Hiland, Brianna Lamson, Chelsea Linman, Matty Ramunno, sophomore Chelsea Craig, juniors Carol Dumolt, Megan Ehrenberg, Megan Matthews, Marlis McChesney, Ashley Woodworth, seniors Brenda Torres, Kendra Kahlow, Brigitte Lowry and Iliana Meza.

The four seniors on the team – who also serve as the team captains — have danced for the Devils since the team was started as a winter-season sport at the end of 2001. Each said the experience was one they will never forget.

Kahlow and Lowry’s sparkling eyes and big smiles said it all. Meza mentioned that the second place trophy was unexpected and that she underestimated the team’s skills as dancers.

“We never expected to do that well having never gone to state before – it was amazing,” Meza said.

“I think we did a great job at state,” Torres added.

The girls also got a chance to show off their winning routine at home. They performed the same dance during half-time of the Dec. 19 Devils’ boys basketball game in Gypsum.

This story first appeared in the Eagle Valley Enterprise.


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