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WCC dance team leaps to first at national competition

Group photo of the WCC Dance Team smiling and holding the awards they won at the competition.

On April 5, the WCC dance team were awarded national champions in all four categories. In the fall, they won second place in all four categories. Courtney Prielipp | The Washtenaw Voice

Beck Elandt | Staff Writer

Several teams from across the United States danced for first place in the Showcase America Unlimited competition, and WCC came out on top with their highest earned point tally this year.

Head coach Ashley Spiegelberg said one of the biggest contributions to their success is their bond.

“They work really well together,” said Spiegelberg, referencing the high levels of camaraderie and support the team shares.

Psychology Today said that dancing has scientifically proven benefits, improving “brain function on a variety of levels.” Dancing helps greatly with mind-muscle connection, and the added function of music brings everything together.

“It creates a sense of belonging,” said Spiegelberg, adding to the benefits of physical, mental and social well-being.

Team captain Eliza Williams is a third-year nursing major at WCC and feels she has a clear role in ensuring the team is on the same page and helping work out any struggles.

“Dance is all about having fun and expressing yourself,” she said.

The team competes in four separate categories: jazz, lyrical contemporary and pom, with as much spirit as possible.

For their final showcase, family, friends and the like gathered in Towsley Auditorium on April 8 to witness the team’s full performance in light of their sweeping success.

At nationals, the team is scored based on their musicality, choreography and showmanship.

At their final practice, Spiegelberg assured that the team would score above 90 points come competition day, a number they had never earned before; and they did just that. For more information about competitive dancing opportunities, email Speigelberg at aspiegelberg@wccnet.edu.

The WCC Dance Team performs on stage with black and green outfits and gold pom-poms.

On April 8, the WCC dance team hosted a showcase for friends and family to see the team’s dance routines. The team dances their Pom routine, where they received the national championship. Courtney Prielipp | The Washtenaw Voice

Editor’s note: On April 25, 2025, the headline of this article was updated to avoid misrepresenting the WCC dance team.