OCU pom/dance finished their 2021 season second in the nation.
The Stars competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics competitive dance championships March 12-13 at Lee Lehman Arena in Davenport, Iowa.
The Stars placed second overall, with a preliminary performance score of 83.10 on Friday and a finals score of 85.03 on Saturday, rounding out their overall score to 84.55. St. Ambrose University (Iowa) ultimately won the championship with an overall score of 88.72, and Morningside College (Iowa) followed OCU in third with an 80.16.
This was the first time the team took second place in the championships since 2018. They were last crowned national champions in 2014.
Megan Berning, acting senior and pom/dance co-captain, said the team is proud of their performance.
“We put every ounce of ourselves into our two performances,” Berning said. “The fact that our score went up the second day was something we were really proud of.”
Berning said she is thrilled with how the team placed. She said it was disappointing not being able to compete at last year’s competition.
“Putting in all that hard work last year and then not being able to compete at nationals was truly heartbreaking,” Berning said.
Berning said the team was relieved when they realized they would get to compete.
“Once we got there, it was an immense feeling of relief, joy and excitement that everything we worked for last year and this year was going to be able to come to fruition,” Berning said.
Tasha Hinex, head pom/dance coach, said the feeling of winning runner-up was surreal.
“I’m beyond happy with their placement,’’ Hinex said. “I keep watching the video, I can’t believe we did it.”
Hinex said the team’s biggest area of improvement this season was stamina.
“All season we’ve been talking about finding the fight,’’ said Hinex.” It was the last week before we left, something turned on, and they carried it through.”
Hinex said the team’s overall stamina made them stand out at the competition.
“People came up to the team and myself and commented on their energy and performance,” Hinex said. “Working on stamina and not letting show when we were tired truly stood out.”
The team also qualified to the national championships in the 2020 season, but the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
Hinex said the team was worried the competition would be canceled again this year.
“I think some of them, in the back of their minds, didn’t think it would even happen,” Hinex said. “We were there last year in Iowa, and an hour out from our coaches meeting it got pulled.”
Hinex said the team initially struggled to form bonds and chemistry during the pandemic.
“We had to learn to find a way to connect without truly connecting since we had masks and COVID-19 restrictions,” Hinex said. “That last week, we found a way to make it work by addressing it and talking about it.”
Berning said the team grew closer towards the end of the season.
“Between regionals and nationals we sat down and had a conversation about what we needed to work on and how we could achieve that,” Berning said. “By the end of the season, we were all so close to each other. I’m proud of every single member on this team, not just as dancers but as people.”
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