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For Kelly Mirando 杏吧原版�23 A.S., 杏吧原版�24, dance has always been her outlet. It杏吧原版檚 been a favorite hobby since she was just two years old and a way for her to express herself in a safe place. After starting off dancing at a studio, she went on to dance on her high school team. She杏吧原版檚 now continuing to enjoy dancing as a member of the .

Mirando and her teammates recently returned from New Jersey, where they competed and excelled in the competition 杏吧原版� the team杏吧原版檚 first collegiate dance competition. Charger dancers participated in two collegiate categories 杏吧原版� jazz and pom 杏吧原版� performing dances that were choreographed by professional dancers and choreographers. The jazz and pom routines earned the Chargers first-place finishes in each category, as the Chargers danced their way to finish as regional champions. The jazz dance performance earned the third highest score of the entire competition.

杏吧原版淭hese two wins meant a lot to me,杏吧原版� said Mirando, a dental hygiene major. 杏吧原版淎s one of the captains of the team, I felt proud of all my team members for coming together and working hard to make these dances be the best they could be and for coming out on top.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楾he girls on this team have also become my family杏吧原版�

Irene Pfeffer 杏吧原版�25 says the team杏吧原版檚 success at the competition is a testament to how hard they have all worked to perfect their routines. In addition to their regular game-day practices, the team came together for additional practices to prepare for the competition.

Pfeffer points out that competing as part of a dance team is very different from dancing on the sideline at a basketball or football game. She has enjoyed the competition and the team杏吧原版檚 opportunities to 杏吧原版渟howcase their maximum potential as athletes.

杏吧原版淚 am so proud of this team for going out on the stage and giving it our all,杏吧原版� continued Pfeffer, a graphic design major. 杏吧原版淭he girls on this team have also become my family. All of our long, hard, strenuous practices have definitely brought us closer as a team and have made us want to do better for each other. I could not have done this without the girls, and I杏吧原版檓 so grateful to be competing with them.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楾his is only the beginning杏吧原版�

A national high school and collegiate dance competition, Dance Team Union enables student-athletes to showcase athleticism and artistry. It was also an exciting opportunity for the 15 members of the University杏吧原版檚 team to showcase their Charger Pride.

Before the competition was over, several of the athletes and their head coach, , sat in the locker room discussing their personal and team goals. It was a discussion that, McClain says, left them feeling 杏吧原版渇ired up杏吧原版� and 杏吧原版渋nspired.杏吧原版� She was excited to watch the team take charge and enjoy a wonderful experience 杏吧原版� and outcome 杏吧原版� at its first collegiate competition.

杏吧原版淚 am filled with so much pride,杏吧原版� said McClain. 杏吧原版淲e are so used to cheering on everyone else so it is nice to be on the other side of that. I see these athletes work extremely hard day in and day out, all while maintaining great grades, jobs, and everything that comes in between. They are committed to the University and to supporting our community and athletic teams.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版淚 watch them push themselves and challenge themselves,杏吧原版� McClain continued. 杏吧原版淚 know the potential this team has, and this is only the beginning. They are some of the hardest-working individuals I know, and I am thrilled to see them be rewarded for their continued dedication to each other and the University of New Haven community.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版業 have confidence in our team杏吧原版�

For Alyssa Mazza 杏吧原版�23, a nutrition sciences major, competing at the collegiate level had always been one of her goals. She杏吧原版檚 enjoyed seeing how her teammates have continued to improve and work together. She and her fellow Chargers are grateful for the support of the University community and for the opportunity to be a part of the competition.

杏吧原版淭he girls on the team currently, as well as previous alumni, have been working for this day for many years,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淲e put in an extreme amount of time practicing. The work is so worth it, and we wouldn杏吧原版檛 be able to be where we are today without Coach Ashley. I杏吧原版檓 so honored to be a part of this team with these amazing girls and coach. We杏吧原版檙e so excited for what杏吧原版檚 in store!杏吧原版�

There杏吧原版檚 another upcoming first in the team杏吧原版檚 future: They杏吧原版檒l be competing in the in Orlando, Florida, in April 杏吧原版� the team杏吧原版檚 first national competition. They杏吧原版檙e also preparing for a collegiate virtual championship in March.

杏吧原版淚 am looking forward to having many more achievements as a team,杏吧原版� said Courtney Dias 杏吧原版�26, an interior design major. 杏吧原版淚 have confidence in our team, and together we will work hard toward our goals and make history for this team. It's just up from here.杏吧原版�