Scoreboard
April 30, 2014
Throughout the school year,
will introduce the 26 members of the Wolverines' 2013-14 dance team. The final edition features Lauren Wilson, a freshman from Dexter, Mich.
Lauren Wilson
Enrolled College: Nursing
Major: Nursing
Competition History: Dancer's Edge Studio (2004-13), Dexter High School Varsity Dance Team (2010-13), Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: My favorite dance memory is when my studio, the Dancer's Edge, won nationals in 2012.
Favorite Michigan Memory: My favorite Michigan memory is when Michigan beat Notre Dame in overtime during the first "Under the Lights" game in 2011.
Colette Verch
Enrolled College: Engineering
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Competition History: Corpse de Danse at the Dance Place (2004-10), Michigan Ballet Theater (2011-12), Waterford Kettering Varsity Dance team (2009-13), Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: Dancing at pep rallies and football games in high school.
Favorite Michigan Memory: My first Michigan fan day!
Maria Tomsovic
Enrolled College: Literature, Science & the Arts
Major: Undecided
Competition History: Ambition Dance Company (), Perseverance Dance Company (2005-09), Dance Xplosion Dance Company (2010-13), Glenbard North HS Dance Team (2009-13) Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: Dancing at an Autism Awareness fundraiser in Dearborn, Mich.
Favorite Michigan Memory: Putting on my Michigan dance team uniform for the first time.
Gabrielle Gaeta
Enrolled College: Literature, Science & the Arts
Major: Pre-business
Competition History: Fr. Gabriel Richard dance team (four years), Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: Dancing in New York City at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy
Favorite Michigan Memory: Enjoying fan day at the Big House with the team!
Rachel Hofsess
Enrolled College: Kinesiology
Major: Movement Science
Competition History: Maria's School of Dance Competition Troupe "Dance Express" (13 years), Michelle's Academy of Dance Competition Company (three years), Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: Dancing from 9-5 for five days straight at the Brighton Dance Festival with some of my best friends in the world.
Favorite Michigan Memory: Going to my first ever Universal Dance Association camp this past summer with the dance team was something new and exciting for me!
Molly Warden
Enrolled College: Literature, Science and the Arts
Major: Undeclared
Competition History: Corpse De Danse at the Dance Place
Ltd. (2005-11), Holly High School Varsity Dance (2009-13), Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: Competing at Nationals with my high school team.
Favorite Michigan Memory: Watching Michigan football beat Ohio State at the Big House in 2011.
Emily Trinkler
Enrolled College: Literature, Science and the Arts
Major: Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience
Competition History: Studio L Competition Team (2000-13), Michigan Dance Team
Favorite Dance Memory: Dancing in the Make-A-Wish parade, and dancing on the Tomorrowland stage at Disney World.
Favorite Michigan Memory: Walking through the tunnel into the Big House for the first time!
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UDA 2010 COLLEGE NATIONALS (DIVISION 1A HIP-HOP PREVIEW!)
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&24 teams are
competing (down from 27 last year) and we have 12 returning finalists, 8
returning semifinalists and three teams (Arizona, Arizona State,
Louisiana-Monroe) making their Division 1A Hip-Hop debuts.& Rounding out the field is the return of
UNLV ? this time without NappyTabs.&
&Division 1A
tends to be a really close competition once you get past the top couple of
teams ? last year six teams that didn't make finals were within 10 points of
the lowest finalist team ? so it can be tight quarters.& Points kind of spread out more in
finals though but no team can really afford a lackluster performance in semis or
they will be out.& It has happened
to a lot of teams in the past ? there are just too many good teams in Division
1A to ever relax.& &Despite the fact that Memphis,
Cincinnati and LSU have pretty much dominated the top spots for the last three
years ? history is no guarantee.&
Last year two of the Top Five teams were coming off years in which they
didn't even make finals ? and this year there are a couple of teams that could
pull that same trick.& Have to be
on in both rounds because there are no guaranteed spots.& &UNLV:& Who knows what will happen with UNLV.& They didn't make the finals in 2007 ? they
thought they should have ? and the Rebel Girls came back amazingly strong in
2008 ? almost winning the whole thing.&
I am really not sure where to place them ? if they dance with the attack
they showed in 2008 ? it is not going to matter that much who did their
choreography ? but I don't know if they will be able to come back with that
level of confidence.& I really
don't know where to put them.& Who
knows ? the early draw doesn't help though and either does the 12.7 in Spirit
Tape.Alabama-Birmingham:&
UAB made the move over from NDA last year and they really did not put forth a
strong performance.& They had a lot
of execution problems and were not really strong in costuming or
choreography.& The early draw and
their super low Spirit Tape score (11.3) is probably enough to keep them out of
finals again this year.Michigan
St.:& After two 9th place finishes in a row ? Michigan
State dropped to 14th place last year ? although they were 11th
in semis.&&& I didn't
feel like their routine carried all the way to the back of the Milk House last
year and that might be an issue for them this year in Jostens in semis ?
especially if the judges sit as far back as they did last year.& On the other hand ? Michigan State made
some real improvement in musicality last year ? which had been a big weakness
for them ? unfortunately it seemed to come at the expense of projection and
confidence.& If they can tie it all
back together, Michigan State could be back in the Top 10.& I felt like they addressed their
weaknesses last year ? but kind of lost hold of some of their strengths.& &15 in Spirit Tape helps
them.& Illinois:&&
After making the Hip-Hop finals in 2005 and 2006, the Illini Dance Team has not
been able to get back to that level ? stalling out in the semis for each of the
past three years.& The Illini went
first last year and I actually thought they had an overall strong performance ?
good energy and good musicality and some fun moments in their routine.& They had a few individual errors
though.& &They don't have that
much of a better draw this year though and the 13 in Spirit Tape isn't doing
them any favors but I wouldn't rule out their chances for finals.& Connecticut:&
2009 was their first year in competition and UConn took on the big names head
on and did not advance past the semis.&
But, there is a lot of potential here ? I actually thought they had a
super bad choice of uniform last year ? sleeveless and tight pants ? they
looked small.& Their overall
execution was fine but the routine lacked any real high points and the
costuming and lack of swagger meant that they really didn't have the kind of
stage presence that makes you sit up and take notice.& Potential was there though ? they got a 13.8 in Spirit Tape
which is fine ? they have a shot at getting into finals this year.&& South
Florida:& South Florida has not made it back to the finals since
2006 and a relatively early draw and a lackluster 13.0 in Spirit Tape will make
things hard for them.& On the other
hand they will be the 6th team competing in what might be a slow
start to the competition and the judges may just be itching to start handing
out some high scores.& The Sun
Dolls were good enough for finals in 2007 but just missed and then last
year& -- once they took off those
tutus ? they were actually pretty strong.&
Last year's performance had a lot of issues unrelated to their strength
as dancers ? the Sun Dolls had a common theme and a messily choreographed start
and costume change.& They picked up
toward the end though so I think they have a shot at getting back to
finals.& Wisconsin-Madison:&
Wisconsin-Madison hadn't even made it to the finals in 2 of the last three
years before surging into 4th place last year.& A position they held in both semis and
finals.&&& Up until last
year Wisconsin had been content to come out with some smooth stylish routines
without any big focus on tricks or gimmicks ? but that all changed last
year.& They showed that they were
willing to take some big chances ? to the point of dropping their pants!&& All of this really paid off big
time ? they are such talented dancers and they got everyone to watch the whole
routine because you didn't know what would happen next.& They had a good mix of tempos but they
still kind of faded in the slower sections and that is something they will need
to improve this year if they go in that direction.& As I said in my recap ? they had some of the best high
points of any routine ? but they didn't quite keep pace with the Top Three
between these peaks.& &Madison put themselves in the mix though
last year and we shall see if they can keep it up ? I have no reason to think
they can't ? still a little troubled by their overall lack of consistency in this
division though.& &Of course,
they got a 15 in Spirit Tape.& &Kansas:&
Kansas has been bouncing around between 6th and 11th
place since first entering the Hip-Hop division in 2006.& Nothing really stood out in their
choreography last year ? it wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as the very best
teams.& A team of good dancers
helped them stay in contention with what was otherwise standard material ? good
attack and generally good dancing.&
The Rock Chalk Dancers have had a slightly tumultuous year but sometimes
that kind of adversity brings a team together.& I have heard that this Hip-Hop routine is actually pretty
cool ? so I do expect Kansas to be back in the finals yet again.&& A 14.2 in Spirit Tape is slightly
bothersome ? but definitely not a huge issue.& Arizona:& After making it to finals in their first attempt in the Jazz
division last year ? Arizona is branching out to Hip-Hop this year and, on
paper, it would seem like they should be a solid contender.& But with so many good teams in
Hip-Hop,it would be premature to call them any sort of lock for finals
?especially with their low Spirit Tape score of 12.3 ? those 20 points they
lose there might be enough to keep them out of the finals.& LSU:&
After dipping back to 6th place in 2006 ? the Tiger Girls have been
on a roll since ?including an awesome performance last year that grabbed them 2nd
place.& I just don't know if they
can recapture the vibe they had last year ? they all danced like they were 8
feet tall and had a million dollars in the bank.& They definitely had some execution issues ?especially in
semis ? and part of that seemed like they hadn't quite perfected the routine ?
like they got a late start.& I have
heard mixed reviews so far this year and I don't really know what to make of it
? I really just have to wait and see how they perform at Nationals ? because so
much of what made them good last year was ATTITUDE.& Over the last few years LSU has not had as consistently good
choreography as Memphis or Cincinnati ? although I thought they put together a
great package last year ? they did have&one or two elements that were not
as well thought out as they should have been.&& I am not ruling out their chances for a title but
based on everything I have heard I am not sure that LSU will be able to match
the heights of last year.& They did
get a 15 in Spirit Tape.& Louisiana-Monroe:& Louisiana-Monroe will be competing in
the Hip-Hop division for the first time this year.&& I have to consider them a long shot ? although being
from Louisiana is a plus ? and a 14.0 Spirit Tape score keeps them in
contention.& Rutgers:&
Rutgers returned to UDA nationals and immediately saw that the game had changed
a lot since they last competed in Orlando in January.& They were one of several teams that used a variety of
costumes and their whole persona seemed kind of fake.& There were definitely worse teams and Rutgers is a strong
enough program that I expect them to be back with a little more fight this year
? especially in Hip-Hop.& Their
13.3 in Spirit Tape isn't going to do them any favors ? they are going to have
to be good to break into finals this year.&Michigan:&
Michigan finally broke into the Hip-Hop finals last year although a good draw
might have been the biggest factor in finally getting them over the top.& Once they were in though ? they gave a
really good performance in finals and ended up in 11th place.& They had a theme last year which at
least helped them stand out ? although a lot of people expressed fatigue with
the doll theme.& They were a little
too punchy last year ? not quite musical enough but they had some really strong
sections in the routine and their execution was steady throughout. It is hard
to imagine how Michigan will do this year ? they haven't been a model of
consistency in hip-hop but they did show good improvement last year and that
might be enough for a return trip to the finals.& A 14 in Spirit Tape hurts them a little but not much.& Oregon:&
Oregon made their Hip-Hop debut last year with something of a muddled
performance.& They had good attack
but they also danced solely with their arms a lot and it felt like their tricks
were just sort of dropped into the routine ? without any musical purpose.& They got an 11 in Spirit Tape which makes
me even more skeptical of their chances to advance.& Tennessee:&
Tennessee slipped out of the Top Five last year (to 6th) after three
straight Top Five finishes but they continue to take chances with their
choreography but still haven't quite found one that has resonated with the
judges ? although I am with Russia ? that Beyonce dance was awesome.& I understand that this year they are
using the U-IC coach for their choreography (same choreographer for Lindenwood
and U-IC) and that should put a little fear in the hearts of their Division 1A
competition.& I said last year that
I wouldn't be surprised if Tennessee won Hip-Hop ? just because they are so
talented ? but now I feel like I really know they have a chance to win.& They had some issues with costuming
last year and I don't expect that to be a problem this year. I am just really
curious to see how they are going to look on a routine from a choreographer
that has produced a national champion in each of the last three years.&& I have been talking about the
lack of double titles in Division1A ? Tennessee could certainly pull off that
elusive double this year.& I think
they will surely be back in the Top Five, probably in the Top Three and they
could just win it all.& 15 in
Spirit Tape means they aren't leaving any points on the floor.& Oklahoma:&
Oklahoma has not been in the Hip-Hop finals since 2005 but at least they are
back with part of the choreography team (Emily Shock) that got them there ? a 7th
in 2005.& I actually felt like
Oklahoma was close to making finals last year ? they were clean and had some
good presence and they didn't have major execution problems ? but really did
not have great musicality. &I think
Oklahoma has solved that problem for this year ? while keeping all of their
strengths.& I think the Westmoore
coach helps them build off everything they already had in place last year ? and
the fact that they are all local ? I think that is going to help Oklahoma dance
the choreography the way it was intended.&
This is a talented team and I think they are coming with a really good
routine and just building confidence every day.& They have a good draw and a perfect 15 in taping so I am
sure that they will be back in finals after five years out ? the question is
how high can they go?& Last year
there was a pretty big break after the Top Five and I feel like Oklahoma can
get to that spot ? just outside the Top Five pretty easily ?they are going to
have to show some fight to get into the Top Five though ? especially since I
expect Tennessee to move up as well.&
They can't just be happy to be there ? they have to show the will to
win.& Alabama:&
Alabama shot all the way up to 7th in 2008 (which I didn't get) but
then with a similar routine they didn't even make finals last year and I guess
I was kind of glad about that.& For
the last three years now Alabama has packed their routines with gimmicks and
costume changes ? none of which I am opposed to in principle ? but the Crimson
Girls seem to just throw them into the routine without any musical
purpose.& A lot of ideas but not
really connected to their music.&
It worked though but then last year I guess they took it too far ? aside
from the fact that it doesn't show good choreography ? all of the costume
changes and running around made them look frantic and the stage looked
messy.& If Alabama can tone it down
a bit and focus more on dancing ? or at least choosing music that supports
their many ideas ? they should be back in the finals.& A 14.5 in Spirit Tape is fine ? not a big issue.& Arizona State:& Arizona State makes their UDA debut and
they seem like they have the talent to make a splash into the Top Ten
here.& Of course, it is a whole
different ballgame once you are actually competing with all of these great
teams head-to-head and so it is really hard to tell how Arizona State might do
? but I feel like they have Top Ten potential.& &A 14 in Spirit
Tape sets them back just a little.&
&Memphis:&
I said this last year and I will say it again ? I am not really sure what
Memphis can do better except continue to surprise and entertain us.& They were 3rd last year
after National titles in 2007 and 2008 but I thought they were every bit as
strong as they had been when they hoisted the first-place trophy.& Nevertheless, they didn't win ? and I
think that got Memphis just a little motivated for 2010.& Just a little.& For the last two years I have talked so
much about &X-factor& and I really thought it favored Cincinnati last year and
they really did come through.& This
year I feel like the &hunger factor& has switched back over to Memphis. I t is
brutal out there at the top of the Division 1A Hip-Hop standings ? these teams
are crazy good ? but if any team is tough enough to handle it ? it is Memphis.& Look for serious run for the title from
the girls in blue. & Spirit Tape was 15.& Mississippi:&
Ole Miss made their Hip-Hop debut in 2008 and didn't make finals but they
improved to 13th place last year and they were actually all the way
up in 6th after semis.&
The best thing about the Rebelettes is their execution ? it is virtually
flawless ? but their routine (while improved from 2008) was still pretty simple
? lacking variety or difficulty.& I
would like to see Ole Miss push forward with a stronger overall routine while
still keeping that virtually flawless execution.& While the simple and clean look paid dividends for them last
year by helping them break into finals ? their big drop in score in finals
(from both me and the judges) kind of highlighted the fact that they are going
to have to bring more to the table this year if they want to keep their upward
momentum.& 14.2 in Spirit
Tape.& Cincinnati:&&
Cincy has never been out of the Top Two in Hip-Hop.& Never.&& And
even in the two years they took 2nd ? they barely lost.& Last year they were just ? basically
virtually perfect ? and it seemed like nothing could stop them.& They were really impressive
athletically ? just fierce.& And
all of that strength helped them create a lot of cool resistance in their
movements.& How about those
handstands?& The only question for
me is &can they do it again?&&
Also, I really feel like a couple of other contenders are going to
emerge on the scene this year ? I don't expect any weakness from Cincinnati ?
but the Top Two is not going to come as easy as it has in years past.&&& 14.7 in Spirit Tape leaves
them 2.4 points behind Memphis going in.&
State:& After not making finals in 2008, the Golden Girls stormed
all the way back up to 5th place last year ? matching their highest
finish ever.& People really liked
this routine but I was not quite as enamored ? &and I agree with Russia ? it seemed like a generous
placement.& Florida State seemed
like the Alabama of 2009 with a routine chock full of &things' that didn't
quite all hold together.& I thought
their execution was messy enough to distract from some otherwise very good
dancing.& At least their overall
choreography/idea seemed more ambitious ? in the past they really didn't seem
to be going for anything.& I don't
know what to make of FSU except that they had a very good year last year and
they might improve on that ? but I am just not sure if they will.& &They just have not had the
consistency.& IA 14.2 in Spirit
Tape sets just a little further back from the very top returning teams.& Louisiana-Lafayette:&
After Top Five finishes in 2006 and 2007, the Ragin' Jazz have fallen back a
little bit in the rankings ? at least partially for not really giving the
judges what they seem to want.&
Excellent dancing to be sure ? but without the supreme confidence or
choreography punctuation marks (tricks/gimmicks etc. . .) that can really
elevate a routine at this competition.&
Last year I felt like Louisiana danced with some markedly improved
confidence and they I think they can continue to build on that ? still want to
see them punctuate their generally superior dancing with some high points in
the choreography and do more group work ? not just rely so much on
individual-based choreography.&
Based on their excellent musicality and strong execution I expect
Louisiana to be back in the Top Ten ? the question for me is have they done
enough to pick up those crucial points for a return to the Top Five.&& They were about 30 points out of
that level last year and a &13.7 in
Spirit Tape means they are spotting their main competition about 5-10
points.& &Washington
State:& The Crimson Girls burst onto the scene last year and
immediately took 8th place ? a strong debut ? although no one seemed
to like Washington State very much and even I dropped them from 8th
place to 12th place in my personal rankings in finals.& Overall they had great flow ? but I
don't know that I thought they were better than Louisiana.& They did have some good detail in their
choreography as well. It was not a super strong performance but it was clearly
solid enough for the Top Ten.&
Still, I feel like Washington State now has raised expectations ? and
they are going to need to come back stronger in 2010 ? keep all of that great
flow and detail ? but dance with a little more intensity and do a better job of
executing tricks and transitions if they want to keep their lofty perch.& They got a 14 in Spirit Tape.&
&My totally
blind prediction:& 1) Memphis, 2) Cincinnati, 3) Tennessee, 4) Wisconsin,
5) LSU, 6) Oklahoma, 7) Florida State, 8) Louisiana, 9) Kansas, 10) Arizona
State, 11) Michigan, 12) UNLV, 13) Mississippi, 14) Washington State, 15)
Michigan State, 16) Alabama
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