The N.C . State Dance Team is more than ready to step onto the field and perform for the upcoming September 3 football opener against Liberty University. With increased practice hours and extra help from outside instructors to meet fitness goals, the team continues to build upon an already outstanding program.
The dance team is led by Coach Amanda Roediger and three assistant coaches, Kristin Rosowski , Ashley Zimtbaumand Valerie Curran- all three of whom attended NCSU and were on the dance team during their time here. When asked if N.C . State was a good fit for her, Roediger , who’s in her fourth year coaching the dance team, expressed her love for the Pack.
“It’s fantastic,” Roediger said. “I moved from Charlotte to come coach here at N.C . State. I had followed this program and had always been a fan of it so this is a dream job for me.”
Behind all successful programs are successful motivators and the dance team coaches are no exception to this. Their season lasts from August to April, so extra motivation is necessary at times during the season to keep their skills up and to keep them performing at their best. But beyond the motivation the girls receive from their outstanding coaches and the motivation they find in having to perform in front of thousands of fans at Carter-Finley Stadium and the RBC Center, Roediger said the girls do an amazing job motivating each other. Each season the team votes on 12 positions that create their leadership team. Three of the leadership positions are held by senior captains Tayla Cunningham, Katie Beasley and by junior co-captain Hannah Stephens.
Being part of the dance team goes beyond the opportunity to dance at sporting events throughout the year. The dance team also affords the women the opportunity to give back. This past Saturday, for example, the dance team partnered with the Marine Corps to raise money solely for the Marine Corps Ball through a hot dog sale and car wash. Throughout the year the dance team will continue to give back to the community through nursing home tours and clinics for the Boys & Girls Club.
The dance team is thankful to have wonderful sponsors that continue to support them and hopes to keep gaining new sponsors that will further support their program. As well as thanking their sponsors, the coaching staff and dancers alike cannot stress how much they appreciate the continued support of school entities that help keep their program going and successful.
The team is excited for fall tryouts next week. They are looking to fill four or five positions at these tryouts, which will be on Wednesday, August 31 and Thursday, September 1 from 6-8: 30p.m . in Carmichael Gym.
