The Republic Tigerettes dance squad brought home three awards from the Sugar Bears Invitational at Missouri State University. The Tigerettes finished in first place in Mix and second in Dance. Bryiar Calloway placed fourth for freshman solos.
This year’s dance team is young, without a senior on the team. Junior Anna Gaddy is one of ten performers, and she said she enjoys the competitive aspects of dance because of the way competitions differ from other performances.
“I just love performing for a crowd, and it’s a different crowd ,” she said.
Because large competitions like the Sugar Bears Invitational bring together teams from all over the area, Gaddy enjoys them for another reason: it gives her an opportunity to see friends on other teams perform. She said the relationships among this year’s Tigerettes contribute to their success.
“We’re just a dance team that loves to be together and loves to perform and see the crowds reaction,” she said, “and to make everybody smile.”
Coach Jordan Belcher agrees. “They get along and work really hard in practice,” she said. “So I think when they get along with each other in practice, that transfers onto the floor, and then they’re successful out there.”