Lions, Ravens reach state dance championships

4A teams to compete in Yakima this weekend

March 21, 2018 10:20 am

Reporter staff

Auburn Mountainview’s and Auburn Riverside’s hip-hop dance teams have stepped it up and are headed to the state floor.

Coming off solid performances at the recent district competition at Tahoma High School, the Lions and Ravens join other top 4A teams at the WIAA Dance & Drill State Championships at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Friday and Saturday.

Typically, the Lions perform exclusively for school activities and functions, including home basketball games and assemblies. They have danced for Green River College basketball and elementary and middle school assemblies in Auburn.

But this year, they decided to take it a step further, entering three competitions and improving each step of the way in the hip-hop category. The Lions took third place at the Mount Si Invitational in February and qualified for districts.

Needing a boost, the Lions changed their music and added new choreography for the districts competition, and it paid off by earning their highest score yet and netting them a spot at state.

“I’m so proud of how far they’ve come, how they can work together and collaborate as a team to create a solid hip-hop routine,” said Carol Smetheram, who has been a part of Auburn Mountainview’s program for the past 11 years, the last seven years as head coach. “We have a lot of natural ability on our team, not only in dancing but in stage presence and performing. These girls are involved in many other activities outside of dance team … drama, ASB, sports medicine, DECA. … One dancer even works three jobs and does Running Start. For them to choreograph their own routine and qualify for state speaks volumes about their spirit, their drive and their love for dance.”

Auburn Mountainview’s dancers are Abby Zimmerman, Melina LaBoyne, Elsa Wanlemvo, Sage Svedin, Jada Nicholson, Katie Newbury, Wendy Mordo and Marielena Garcia-Duran.

Ravens shine

Coach Sara Thomas’ team qualified for state for the second straight season.

“We have overcome so many obstacles as the team,” Thoms said. “We are very proud of our team.”

Auburn Riverside’s team is composed of captains Kyla Poquiz and Kamal Jhajj, both seniors, and ZaReah Barren, a junior, Mandy Gauthier, Mackenzy Pena, Katie Yadwinski, Jazlyn Mora, Dira Borrayo and Emily Padilla.