Poms team performs a routine while prepping for their next competition in the NC dance gym (Walsh/LION).

Building on a successful 2022-2023 season, the Poms dance team set high goals for themselves again this year. Last year, the team had one of their strongest seasons yet, placing first as Grand Champions at the Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) state. This year, they placed sixth in state and are currently preparing for the upcoming IDTA state competition.

There are two separate state championships for high school dance teams in Illinois. IHSA is the affiliation that all high school athletics in the state compete under and is slightly more challenging than IDTA, which is a state championship more specific to the dance world, Poms captain Brooke Walsh ’25  said. Poms attends both competitions annually. 

“We’ve been very specific about goals this season and a big one for us is to make it to day two of IHSA state,” Walsh said. “We are definitely on track to make this happen.”

In order to reach their expectations, the team set daily goals to improve minor things like turns and skills which would eventually lead to big changes in their performance overall. This also helped keep them determined and focused.

“My goal every season is to nurture the team’s goals, push them in growing in their technique, and provide a fun and positive environment,” head coach Brittany Smith said.

With the daily practices and constant competitions, it’s very important for the team to have a positive environment, senior Poms captain Kayla Lovelace ‘24 said. Although many think of competitive dance as an individual sport, there is a heavy reliance on the other team members.

“Poms is all about being a team sport,” Walsh said. “It’s important that everyone supports each other and constantly puts in 100 percent effort.”  

This mindset that the team has adopted and their desire to reach their goals has helped push the team in a positive direction this season.

“This year we came in with a lot more fire and it’s really been showing in our competitions,” Walsh said. The determination of the team has been portrayed in their performances throughout the season where they have beat some of the best teams in the state.

On Jan. 15 the team competed at the IHSA conference and placed first overall. They competed at sectionals on Jan. 20 and placed second overall. 

“Winning conference was so special and important to the team this year,“ Smith said. “Conference comes at a pivotal point in our competition season, being the same week as Sectionals. This win was definitely a great confidence boost and helped to show the team that their hard work and determination pays off.”

The victory definitely kept the team’s spirits and confidence high as they went into their IHSA state championships at Illinois State University on Jan. 26. For the first time in LT history, the girls made day two of state and finished sixth overall. 

“We could not have asked for a better season, and can’t wait for IDTA state,” Walsh said.

IDTA state occurred on Feb. 10, after LION’s print deadline.