By: Kylie Pendleton ’21
Varsity poms is heading to UDA Nationals with fifth place at state and first at NDA. The stakes are high for these girls hoping to come back with a national spot. With four seniors on the team they will have a larger loss than usual.
Senior Bella Scipione says “it’s a bittersweet yet exhausting experience, with so much fun.”
They have extended practices from 10 hours a week to 13, with one practice at an away studio and two to three days at Regis Jesuit from 4-7. Coach Katie Bhappu has been a poms coach at regis for three years, one year as JV coach and two as varsity. She danced for Grandview High School and went on to dance for our state football team, the Broncos.
“I am thrilled to be heading to Orlando with such strong, enthusiastic team,” Bhappu said.
This year only one freshman was accepted onto varsity, Sarah Wagner. This is her first national competition with the team. “It is nerve racking” Sarah says, “I do not know what to expect but I am more excited than nervous in the long run.”