We Talkin' About Practice - Connor, Cheer Co-Captain

A couple of years ago, Allen Iverson was just as popular with his “practice” press conference as Charlie Sheen is today with his “winning” interview. Both cheer and dance have something in common with Iverson, lately we have had practice about as many times as Iverson said it in the video.

However, contrary to what Iverson said, for us practice is everything. We don’t have games every week. We have one game each year, nationals. People may think we push ourselves when we are performing down in Daytona. False, Daytona is a breeze. Rather, practices are where we push ourselves. We practice hard four times a week so that nationals is easier for us. Especially now, practice is getting more intense. People have been injured. People have quit. People have gotten angry. Still, we keep going and we keep pushing. We push to the point of exhaustion and frustration, yet we come back the next day ready to do what is required and then some.

Practices are rough, and the only thing that hasn’t made us go crazy or quit by now is our bond as a team. Regardless of how we feel in practice, we are still good friends. We can joke around with each other. More importantly, we can turn our pain and soreness into points of laughter and fun among us. Our shared aches bring us closer together. Each practice brings new bruises, cuts, and sore muscles, but it also brings a stronger bond. And that’s something we’re all willing to sacrifice for.

Looks like I’m almost as bad as Iverson. I said practice 10 times. But then again we talkin’ about practice.

Lost in Transition - Dance Junior, Elyse

This Nationals season had a slightly different start for me and two other teammates. Hannah, Kelsey and I spent last semester abroad in different corners of the globe. Although we did as much as we could from Jordan, Rome, and Chile to stay in shape while we were away, no other workout is the same as dancing. Not only are we back into dancing full swing, getting ourselves as prepared as possible for NDA Nationals. Not only is it nice to be dancing, it is so much easier to motivate yourself when you see that your 11 other teammates are all pushing themselves just as hard, working towards a common goal.

I had the time of my life in South America, but every time a song we had danced to in a routine played, I started to get a little teary (and inevitably danced like a fool, no matter where I was at the time). Spending 8 months away from any sort of dance floor and your inspiring teammates really makes you evaluate how much you love dancing and your dance team. Having been trained in a more concert dance company based environment, I was totally unprepared to be a member of any sort of team when I came on as a freshman. But I showed up for try-outs and ended up joining the team before I had even taken a single class at American University. Being on this team has shaped my college experience and changed me as a person. Now that basketball season is officially over and we’re on the brink of the biggest event of our season, the somewhat familiar nerves, anxiety, and excitement of nationals season have firmly planted themselves in my stomach, and all that I can do is push myself and encourage my teammates. I love

you and believe in you all <3

DT ON 3

Winning. Camille David (Duh, Cheer)

SO kids… basketball season has finally come to an end and "march madness", also known as the rush to get ready for cheer and dance nationals, has begun. As a cheerleader or a dancer at this time, you're one of the following:

(1) Panicked.

(2) Excited.

(3) Convinced we're taking home that championship trophy for the third year in a row.

Personally, I'm all three, but I'm only going to talk about option (3). I joined the team in September of my freshman year. I was a softball player and a "drama kid" from middle school on. We didn't really have a cheerleading team at my high school, but I always loved school spirit at games. So when cheer held open try-outs, I showed up on a Sunday wearing my black soffe shorts and black sports bra and gave it a whirl. Somewhere between Lauren almost making me tear up while teaching me the fight song (yeah, had to get a serious High V lesson) and putting Joanna up in libs, I was hooked. I got a call from Brett that night and I joined up as an alternate.

The following February, all 20 something of us traveled to Infinity, a gym in Virginia, to get choreography for Nationals. Somehow, I ended up rolling around on the floor in the front of the dance with Lauren. Yeah, not quite sure what they were thinking. A month later and we were hitting our stunts and our pyramid and I thought we had nationals in our back pocket. I didn't tell anyone at the time, but I thought we were taking home a huge trophy and I would be bragging to my friends about how I was on one of the best cheerleading teams in the country.

In April, we woke up at some absurd hour to put on make-up and do our hair and then hit the mat. The second we were in warm-ups, the panic set in. I looked around at the other all girl teams and was amazed. How were girls my size doing all that crazy stuff? We warmed up our routine and about 30 minutes later, pre-lims were over. The next day, everyone performed in finals and then all 13 teams sat on the mat and waited for them to announce the winner. They started with 13th place, we got 11th. I was shocked. Even though I had seen all the teams and deep down knew they were better, I was still so surprised. Everyone looked excited, because we hadn't placed last. I wanted to cry.

It took me about two weeks to finally put the week at Daytona in perspective. It was our first year at competition, about eight girls on our team had never cheered before (myself included), and we had no idea what to expect. My mom and dad popped in my head. After my freshman year season where we went 17-1, they just repeated to me over and over "It's not about winning". And it's really not. I would cheer and put all the blood, sweat, tears and drama in every year, even if I knew 11th place would always be the outcome.

And despite it all, it's March 13, with nationals less than a month away, I still think we will be top 5. I guess its that childhood optimism that comes when you begin a new sport. Or maybe, Charlie Sheen and I have something in common. "Duh, winning!"

Flying Solo - DT Freshman Mark

I came into college expecting to make friends, start a new life, and figure out what I would be doing for the rest of my career--never in a million years did I think I would be joining the dance team at American University halfway through the season to compete for Nationals in Daytona.

Hi, I'm Mark and I'm the newest member of the AU Dance Team--and the only male. While I'm the only guy on the team, the girls have been so welcoming that I haven't had any trouble getting integrated into the team. It's tough joining the team halfway through the season, but I'm having an absolute blast already. I won't lie, I thought I would be so embarrassed to say I was a member of the dance team, but I couldn't be prouder of what I've become a part of.

Hip-Hop is my specialty, even though I really don't have much formal experience with dance. I have to tell you though, our Nationals routine is really going to bring it! Get pumped! I've been working really hard on the choreography and I really have to thank those who have taken the time out of their busy schedule to work with me one-on-one to make sure that I've got everything that I need to know.

I'm still trying to learn the ways of the dance team, and we're all going to be working at the Battle at the Capitol, so that should be a great opportunity for a team bonding experience. I can't wait to keep you guys updated with how things are going for the team as a whole! All in all, I couldn't be happier about joining the dance team.

--Mark

Slacking

We'll pick it back up soon. We've just been so busy supporting our teams and preparing for nationals, that we haven't been doing our part to keep up the blog. Please forgive us! We'll be posting again shortly!