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!

Men's Game - November 17th

The Men's Basketball team did a great job last night winning a tight game against University of Maryland Eastern Shore. We really hope the crowd continues to show up - it makes the games atmosphere so much better!!

Our DT did a great job with their performance too! Check it out:

DT DOES MEN'S HOME OPENER! -Dance Freshman, Becca

Holy shmollies! I don't know where to start! These past few months at AU and with dance team have been more amazing than I could have ever imagined. Growing up in a "dance studio" setting, I never experienced much of a team atmosphere, so when I became a part of the spirit program it was a huge change. This change was definitely for the better and immediately when I joined this incredible group of people a family bond began to grow. We spend hours in the library together, workout in the gym together, go on TDR dates, and so on. At practice you can always count on encouragement from your teammates to push harder, dance stronger, and smile bigger and this, at times, is the sole reason you keep going.

This past Friday we performed at the Men's Basketball Team Home Opener, doing a routine choreographed by our own captains, Francesca and Lyndsey, and alumna, Jackie. What a great experience! The arena was packed, the crowd was pumped, and the basketball team played hard and won. It was such a great feeling to be out on the court cheering on the team, and to hear the crowd roar when they stole the ball or scored. When it came time to perform we were buzzing with nerves and excitement, but we took the floor like it was our job. At the end of the game, we lined up and said goodbye to the children that had come for elementary school night, and even took pictures with them! Overall, it was a fantastic night and I cannot wait for the rest of the season.

Keep whippin yo hair:)
Becca

My First American Madness- AU Cheer Junior, Dianne

Last night was truly something else! I forgot what it feels like to perform in front of a crowd and the adrenaline rush that comes along with it. For the past few weeks, we have been drilling our tumbling, stunt sequences, dances, and pyramids over and over again for a performance that lasts two minutes and thirty seconds. Crazy, I know but what a lot of people don't realize is that a lot of injuries, sweat, blood, and tears went into that routine. At times, we came across a few rough patches but it was nothing we couldn't handle as a team. You'd be surprised of what a few rounds of duck duck goose could do.

As a transfer student, I thought of cheerleading as a way to meet people and feel out AU, I didn't expect to develop such a close relationship with the people on the team but I did and I couldn't be happier. American Madness was a learning experience and a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what the rest of the season is going to be like, especially NATIONALS

Love you all :)

Dianne