Surprises, Consistency Co-Exist For Cougar Dance

Although this is the Oakton High School Dance coach’s 12th year at Oakton, surprises abound for the upcoming season. From choreography to costuming to even a new little Cougar making his or her arrival, Karen Rowley is preparing the squad to take on all challenges.

A former dance team member at James Madison University, Rowley, along with assistant coach Erin Soller, started the group practicing in June, prior to the Cougars attending Universal Dance Association (UDA) camp. Camp was held at the University of Maryland — Baltimore, and they placed second in home routine, an accomplishment the coaches were proud of, especially considering they only had about a week-and-a-half to learn and practice it.

The team’s goals for the season, whether at a football game or local competition, are error-free performances, executing with sharpness and synchronization, and no memory mistakes.

At local competitions, the goal is to win. In 2010, the Cougar Dance Team placed first in all local competitions, in all categories. The group competes in kick and pom.

At the UDA national competition in Orlando, Fla., it is a bit different. Making finals is the goal in each of the categories.

“It is super competitive with teams from all across the country coming from all kinds of backgrounds," Rowley said. "We shoot for a ‘double final finish’ in both kick and pom.”

At nationals last year, OHS made it to finals in pom, which has only happened three times previously, and finished 14th. The kick routine didn’t advance to finals, missing it by one spot, and finished 11th.

Captains for this year’s squad are: Bethany Johnson and Taylor Johnson. Co-captains are senior Morgan Doss and junior Maria Canales.

Coach Rowley invites everyone to attend the local competitions to support the Oakton Dance Team. “Usually what we do there is a lot different than what we perform on Friday nights at the football games, but not more important. The competitions are something the girls have worked towards for themselves instead of for school spirit.”

Their first competition of the season is the Fairfax Dance Classic on Nov. 19 at Paul VI High School. Other competitions this year include one at George Mason University on Dec. 11 and another at West Springfield on Jan. 21.

Before the dance competition season begins, a new addition will arrive at Oakton High School: a new baby for coach Rowley and her husband, Oakton's head football coach Jason Rowley. With the Rowleys due the end of October, there might be an exciting Friday night in store for their family as well as Oakton football and dance fans.