by Ryan Condon

Fall dance team welcomed many newcomers this season, after losing six dancers who graduated last year.

According to senior Anna D’Alleva, a captain with seniors Jenna Hogan and Kimberly Newton, the transition has been going smoothly.

“Initially we expected there to be a lot of work needed to integrate the team with such a large number of new members, but they have been working hard,”  she said.  “The team has focused on bonding, which has helped us unite and have practices run smoothly.”

The team will participate in three competitions this year according to D’Alleva, the first one being the New England Cheer and Dance Competition, November 9 at the Reggie Lewis Track Center.  The Tigers will also compete at Bay States and States, but the times and locations for those competitions have not yet been released, according to D’Alleva.

According to coach Stephanie Hubbard, the team’s strength this year will be its energy.  “With 20 dancers, it will be hard to give a weak performance,” she said.

Currently the team is working on its routines for home football games before moving on to competition routines, according to Hubbard.

The team is working on incorporating variety into its routines, according to D’Alleva.  “We are also very motivated to do well and show off what we’ve learned,” she said. “We have been working very hard on new tricks and techniques, and we are excited to get the chance to perform and show what we have to offer.”

This season involved somewhat of a time crunch because of scheduling issues, according to D’Alleva.  However, “through adding an extra weekly practice and focusing during practice, we have been able to overcome it,” she said.