Q&A by: Laura Wuthnow
At Regional Competition this year, the Pommies placed first at regionals. Northmen News caught up with team captains seniors Jessica Nichols and Chelsie Yokum to discuss their victory.
Northmen News: Do you think you had good prep for regionals?
Senior Chelsie Yokum: Honestly, no. We could’ve worked harder. At the time it was definitely not enough. Increasing the practices before wasn’t enough. We didn’t perform the two dances any time, until two days before competition, which is not a good idea. But, it’s okay, we did well anyway.
Senior Jessica Nichols: No, we were going in on shaky grounds, but we went in and gave it our all and had a great outcome.
NN: Were you surprised with the outcome?
Yokum: Yes, I was shocked, after the first dance, parents and others said that we had done better than others in our division. I was hopeful for awards, but still not expecting.
Nichols: Based on pre-show—no. Saturday after we preformed, I was more confident and I could see us placing. I hadn’t seen placing first, but I was surprised. It was a good surprise.
NN: Do you think that what happened with the coaching system affected the outcome?
Yokum: I don’t think it did. I think we would’ve been the same with [former coach] Ms. [Michelle] Spinola.
Nichols: It changed the practice schedule and we had to find a time that worked for all of the girls. We had to adjust because we had two different coaches and they were both coaching us and helping us in two different ways, so we were conforming to one.
NN: Is there anything that you did differently this year than last year?
Yokum: Not really, we practiced less [this year]. I don’t know what caused us to place first, but it wasn’t really us changing anything.
Nichols: We practiced more this year, than last. We have one before school and one on Sundays at a local studio.
NN: Do you think it puts more pressure on you to do well or even better at state?
Yokum: Oh yes. It puts a lot more pressure on us. I think after placing first everyone expects us to get first again or even do better. But for state, we’re moving up divisions, so the schools are going to be bigger and better. And it’s been a week [after regionals] and we haven’t practiced at all.
Nichols: Definitely. We came out and worked hard and put on a great performance and we should do the same for state!