Practice makes perfect

RANDOLPH – Kamile Oligmueller counts the beat out loud as each member of Randolph High School’s dance team moves in unison, each playing a part.

After a series of moves, Nicole Haselhorst insists they try it again.

Ella Scott encourages “stronger arms,” and “more height,” as the dancers work toward perfection.

It may be 6:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, but you won’t see any yawns or distractions. The six dancers in the otherwise empty high school gym are focused on one goal: state success.

Under the leadership of seniors Oligmueller, Haselhorst and Scott, Randolph’s dance team will head to the state stage and perform Friday, Feb. 16, displaying their skill, focus and hard work in front of a team of judges.

“It’s actually pretty wild to only have one opportunity and less than two minutes for something you’ve worked so long and hard for,” said coach Brittany Flaming.

Flaming worked with the dance team over the summer to learn choreography for both the pom and hip hop categories. Then, hours were spent through the summer and beginning of the school year practicing and cleaning up the routines.

“I couldn’t begin to add up the hours we’ve spent on these dances, but the girls know how much work has to be put in for these dances to be successful,” she said.

Practice makes perfect as the routines become part of muscle memory, Oligmueller said.

Which is especially helpful when getting on the state stage, Scott said.

“We have so much adrenaline and nerves and cannot really even feel our bodies moving,” Scott said. “We always use a lot more facials at state than what you are used to seeing at halftime performances. I hope the judges can see how much fun we have performing together and our energy.”

The pixie stick candy and Celsius energy drinks as the go-to meal before performing fuels some of that energy, Scott admits with a smile.

“Maybe that is our good luck charm,” she said. She may be on to something with the team winning four championships during the last four years. Last year, the team earned the state champion trophy in Class D Pom.

“Our goal is to add on two more state championships to our record but that’s every team’s dream,” Scott said.

This year’s routines showcase both technique and energy, Oligmueller said.

“I hope our passion for dance is shown through our performance,” she said. “That’s truly what they (judges) want to see above anything else.”

Starting in the summer, the season can get long but team members motivate each other.

“We have a ton of love for each other and continue to push one another,” Oligmueller said.

All three seniors have participated in high school dance all four years, and have been active in dance classes for a decade or more.

“I have been doing dance for so long because it is like another family and I met some of my best friends through dance,” Haselhorst said.

None of the seniors plan to pursue dance or cheer in college, although Oligmueller may have an opportunity to keep teaching dance.

Hitting the state stage for the last time is bittersweet.

“Going into state as a senior is unreal. It feels like just yesterday I was trying out for the team and performing at state for the first time,” Haselhorst said. “I hope that the team in the future can carry on our streak of winning and being the best they can be.”