The SDSU dance team made history after placing fifth in the nation for their pom routine in Orlando, Florida Jan. 12.
For the first time ever the dance team competed at the United Dance Association National competition. The team placed fifth for their pom routine, nearly made it to finals for their jazz routine and game day almost made it to semifinals.
“This year’s team has a drive that is unmatched,” head coach Christie Pekoske said. “They inspired each other to jump higher, turn faster, and dance stronger. They were motivated to show up at the UDA and leave a positive first impression.”
The success from the team stemmed from hard work starting in June to prepare for the season. The team learned national choreography in November and spent the entire Christmas break practicing eight hours each day.
“I think what made our team so successful at nationals this year was our attitudes and determination to get our name heard,” freshman dancer Riley Katz said. “We had nothing to lose going into this competition, as this was our first time competing at UDA, but all us girls wanted to do well and make SDSU a force to be reckoned with.”
The trip was momentous for the team since they have been fundraising for the competition since going to the UDA camp in August of 2023. The dance team is affiliated with the SDSU athletic department but it’s not funded the way other sports are. The girls must finance their own uniforms, practice gear, and travel expenses due to not having any money coming into the teams account.
Sophomore Hannah Salas said it’s hard paying when she’s a full-time student.
“It’s very difficult to pay out of pocket for everything,” she said. “It’s expense after expense after expense and it’s very hard to keep up.”
The team runs concessions at various sporting events and cleans up after concerts or basketball games to make as much money as possible for nationals.
“I would love additional funding from SDSU, but I do understand that it is a challenge right now,” Pekoske said.
Pekoske hopes placing fifth at nationals will bring more girls to try out for the team, and will bring more money into the program.
The team dances at football games, alongside the cheer team and at basketball over the winter and into the spring season.
Justin Sell, the director of athletics, praises the dance team for their hard work and says the department is “very proud of them and the great work they do on behalf of our university.”
The dance team is already making new goals and planning for what’s next.
“The team is on a high coming back from nationals. Ideas are being thrown around about different styles of routines and costuming,” Pekoske said. “We will spend the rest of this year conditioning and working on technique so next year we can be even stronger.”