Northwestern University Athletics
Ladycats Go to Camp!
9/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 6, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - On Sunday, August 8, the 12 members of the Northwestern Ladycats, NU's varsity dance team, gathered in Patten Gym to discuss their upcoming camp schedule and competition routine. The Ladycats were scheduled to make their return to a collegiate camp run by the Universal Dance Association (UDA) for the first time since 2001, and to compete for the first time in more than a year and a half. But before they could depart, the team had to learn and perfect a two-minute routine in only two days, which would not be an easy task. After 8-9 hours of practice on each of those days, the Ladycats were ready to compete.
Early morning on Wednesday, August 11, the team packed its gear and headed to UW-Milwaukee, where the camp was held. Upon arrival, the team barely had time to unpack before starting a grueling day of dancing. After warm-up and technique classes that ranged from beginner to elite, it was time to learn yet another routine. At UDA camps, team members learn three routines over two days, and are evaluated on them at the end of camp. Routines vary in style -- jazz, hip-hop, pom, and lyrical -- and in levels from 1-4. Team members split up, with about two girls going to each routine. This method allows for each team to come away with a lot of new choreography to use throughout the year.
Later that same night, it was time to compete. The Ladycats' routine was a definite crowd pleaser, and their technical prowess and creativity also impressed the judges. The Ladycats earned a blue superior ribbon for their efforts, which is the highest accolade possible. But the team did not have time to celebrate; they had to learn more choreography for a fight song competition, this time as a team.
Fight song is a series of four eight counts in the traditional school song style. Each team then adds two eight counts of their own choreography and can also modify the first four eight counts to incorporate ripples, level changes, and formations to make the routine more visually appealing. The only rule was that at least one girl had to be doing the original choreography at all times. Spicing up fight song proved difficult, but as a team and with the help of head coach Tracy Coleman and choreographer Camille Turner, the Ladycats were crowd favorites. They also received a red excellent ribbon for their efforts, as well as some helpful tips on how to improve.
At the end of four grueling days of nonstop dancing, the Ladycats walked away with 29 blue superior ribbons for their individual evaluations, one red excellent ribbon and no white ribbons. Blue ribbons are earned by performing an almost flawless routine (0-3 mistakes), red ribbons are earned by performing well with a few memory or technical mistakes (3-5 mistakes), and white ribbons are earned with a good performance (5-8 mistakes). The team also earned a superior trophy for their high blue ribbon count. Other Big Ten schools present were reigning national champions Minnesota and national runner-up Wisconsin, as well as Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa. Many other dance teams from other Division I-A and I-AA schools were also represented.
The Ladycats hope to translate their strong performance at camp to a 2005 UDA Nationals bid. Nationals are held in Orlando, Florida from January 14-17 and teams qualify by tape. In the meanwhile, the Ladycats will be using the new choreography learned at camp to support NU's football and basketball teams.
Click here if you are interested in becoming a member of the Ladycats; tryouts will be held during fall quarter. Also feel free to contact head coach Tracy Coleman at t-coleman@northwestern.edu.
The Ladycats look forward to exciting football and basketball seasons that you won't want to miss! Go `Cats!
