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Second in the nation
WCMS dance dazzles in Orlando
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Photos courtesy of Painted Barn Media The WCMS dance team finished second at Nationals in Orlando earlier this month. Pictured are, front row, from left, Allison Hamby, Addison Cantrell, Brylee Vinson, Harley Peterson, Cara Rhoady and Kelsi Caten. Second row, Risa Bernardo, Kate Gribble, Brianna Bates, Leah Eubanks, Bella Campbell and Amberley Soto. Back row, Zoe Bouldin, Kaitlynn McBride, Cadence Slatton, Josee Lopez, Gracey Torres, Brooklyn Williams and Leah Todd.
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Photos courtesy of Painted Barn Media Amberley Soto and the WCMS dancers were awesome in Orlando.

Dominant dance teams are starting to become one of the legacies of Warren County. The WCMS dance team just added to the growing history locally, finishing second in the nation in both the Pom and Gameday categories in Orlando.

The Warren County Middle School dance team, in just their second trip to Florida for the NDA Nationals competition as a program, was one of the most impressive teams in the three-day event from March 3-5. The young dancers showed out in both competitions, making it to the final round and blowing away the judges on their way to national runner-up.

“To be named second in the nation – not once, but twice – was a thrilling experience, but to dance on the national stage under the lights is something the team will never forget,” said coach Kristy Weeter. “(Watching the team) work as one unit and grow from the start of the season to now has been truly incredible.”

Weeter, along with indispensable assistant coaches Jennifer Gribble and Krista Wells, have been working the group since last June to perfect their competition routines. China Hendry, a professional choreographer from Nevada, helped teach the group last summer and the WCMS dancers have put in countless hours since making it flawless.

A video performance in October was enough to earn WCMS an invite to the national event. They were even better when the NDA judges got to see the WCMS dance team in person.

As well as earning top finishes in both competitions, the WCMS dance team was also given the Showmanship Award for its gameday routine. It was a tremendous honor for the team, which was honored for displaying the best sportsmanship during its final performance.

“They had the audience cheering along with them and the energy they displayed reached all the way to the back of the room. The judges took notice,” said Weeter.

Members of the WCMS dance team are Zoe Bouldin, Kaitlynn McBride, Cadence Slatton, Josee Lopez, Gracey Torres, Brooklyn Williams, Risa Bernardo, Kate Gribble, Brianna Bates, Leah Eubanks, Bella Campbell, Allison Hamby, Addison Cantrell, Brylee Vinson, Harley Peterson, Cara Rhoady, Kelsi Caten, Amberly Soto and Leah Todd.