The competition season for Baker dance team has been a memorable one so far, as the team won both their conference and regionals. They have been working towards these achievements since October and will have competed in eight competitions by the end of the season.

When asked about the team’s success, Coach Lynsey Payne gave a list of attributes that she believes has contributed to the teams triumphs.

“They’re such a good team. They know how to pick each other up, they work hard, they know what they want, they’re positive, they help each other through. They’re such a good team, in all aspects of the word,” Lynsey said.

Besides competing more than ever before and winning regionals and conference for the first time in over five years, the team has experienced yet another major milestone this season. At the regional qualifiers, nine dance team members were named NAIA All-Americans, the most All-Americans in a single year in Baker dance team history.

To be distinguished as an All-American, dancers must learn and perform a choreographed routine that is available as a video online. At the regional qualifiers, they perform the routine two at a time, in addition to a two eight-count turn sequence, triple pirouette and three leaps. The dancers are then given a score based on the four elements which determine whether they receive the title.

“As far as learning the routine, they do that all on their own. It’s not something that we necessarily take a bunch of time out of practice for them to do,” Lynsey said.

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Meet the All-American Dancers

Name: Gracie Chambers

Grade: Junior

Years dancing: “Since I was three”

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“We’re all big team players; we support each other no matter what. We do it for each other and not individually.” 

Favorite part of being on the team:

“Whenever we are performing or competing, we always cheer each other on, even when we are tired and out of breath. We all know we are in this together, and it shows who we are as a team.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“It means everything. I’ve only done one solo all of my life, so going out and doing All-American was very scary for me, and then getting it justified all of my hard work.”

What is your favorite style of dance: 

“I really miss ballet, but my favorite is hip hop.”

Go to dance song?

“It ain’t my fault” by Trouble

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Name: Stephen Long (Has received All-American previously) 

Grade: Sophomore

Years dancing: “Five years”

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“We’ve always had style and diversity, but cleanliness came easy for us this year.”

What do you think sets the Baker dance team apart from other teams you compete against?

“Our style of movement, our different shapes and sizes, our different hair textures, our different skin colors. When you think of dance teams you think of uniformity, but for us, it’s about how good we can perform.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“I believe it has added to my portfolio, because I want to become a dancer. It boosted my confidence.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Jazz-funk”

Go-to dance song?

“Them beats” by Todrick Hall

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Name: Cheleia Marshall (Has received honorable mention before)

Grade: Junior

Years dancing: “Since I was three”

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“The respect that we have for one another. I think the connection that we have, unlike other teams who have connections just during their pre-season, we keep that bond going throughout our whole season.”

What do you think sets the Baker dance team apart from other teams you compete against?

“I think it’s our drive and intentions. We’re not the team that sells out the gym or sells out the football stadium. We’re like the underdogs, but we’re finally getting the recognition we deserve. Even when we only see one fan in the stands, we still give it our all.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“I cried. I was so happy because freshman year I thought I’d get it but I didn’t, so I was a little hurt, and so I didn’t try out my sophomore year. This year was like a ‘finally’ moment for me.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Tap”

Go-to dance song?

“Ain’t nobody” by Chaka Khan

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Name: Jaila Randle

Grade: Sophomore

Years dancing: “Since I was three”

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“It’s dedication. From the moment we stepped into pre-season, we were like, ‘we’re getting rings this year.’ We’ve been working extremely hard.”

Favorite part of being on the team:

“We all have our own distinct personalities, and when we all come together, there’s never a dull moment.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“I’m not too good being under pressure and people staring at me, but receiving the AllAmerican this year showed how I have improved so much from all the years I’ve been dancing.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Tap”

Go to dance song?

“Life is good” by Drake and Future

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Name: MJ Monteclaro

Grade: Freshman

Years dancing: “Since I was four”

What do you think sets the Baker dance team apart from other teams you compete against?

“Our confidence. As a whole we are a very confident team.”

Favorite part of being on the team:

“Everything. It’s really just the people that make it so amazing.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“It means a lot. I really wasn’t expecting to get it at all. It’s really nice to be recognized for what we can do.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Hip-hop”

Go-to dance song?

“Hollaback girl” by Gwen Stefani

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Name: Linnea Carlson

Grade: Freshman

Years dancing: “Five years”

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“Our attitudes help a lot with everything and how much we push each other.”

Favorite part of being on the team:

“The people. I love going to practice because it’s so fun.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“I wasn’t expecting to get it, I kind of just did it for fun. But it really is an honor.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Jazz”

Go to dance song?

Any Tik Tok song

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Name: Alyssa Waller

Grade: Freshman

Years dancing: “Since I was two“

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“I think that we are very determined. We really don’t give up, even when we’re dying. We are a team that fights because we all want to succeed so badly. Even when our bodies hurt and we are mentally exhausted, we put our all in every single practice and competition so we can get the results we want.”

Favorite part of being on the team:

“I’ve always loved dance, but when you’re doing it with people you love, it’s a thousand times better.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“It was really special [to receive the distinction]. It showed me that my hard work was recognized.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Contemporary”

Go to dance song?

“Super Bass” by Nikki Minaj

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Name: Kinleigh Brecheisen

Grade: Sophomore

Years dancing: “Since I was three”

What do you think is the key to the dance team’s recent success?

“The determination that we’ve had. We came into this season with one goal, and that was to be successful. Not just individually but as a team, and that definitely has driven us.”

Favorite part of being on the team:

“They are a second family. We spend everyday together, and I know that I could rely on any of them, anytime I need them.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“Coming into freshman year it was a goal of mine, so getting to try out was a privilege. It’s definitely one of the scarier things I’ve done, but it was definitely an honor to even try out and then to receive it.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Contemporary”

Go to dance song?

“Booty” by J Lo

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Name: Keirstyn Renyolds

Grade: Junior

Years dancing: “13 to 14 years”

What do you think sets the Baker dance team apart from other teams you compete against?

“We don’t view competitions as ‘competitions,’ but as an opportunity to show off our talent, have fun. We really enjoy what we do and embrace every moment we step on the floor.”

Favorite part of being on the team:

“The memories. We always have a good time together.”

What does it mean to you to receive the All-American distinction:

“It means so much more because we’ve done so well these past few weeks, like winning conference and regionals. This is just the icing on the cake to feeling like I’ve accomplished something this year.”

What is your favorite style of dance:

“Hip-hop”

Go to dance song?

Any Chris Brown song