On Jan. 17, Gabrielino’s varsity competition song team traveled to Costa Mesa for its first competition of the season, the Estancia High School Competition. Hosted by SHARP International, the team competed in the Song Novice Small division against five other teams. After a full day of preparation, observing performances and taking the stage, Gabrielino’s song team earned first place in its category.
Although this marked the team’s first performance in a competitive setting, the song team exceeded expectations and performed to the best of its abilities, receiving an average overall score of 83 percent.
“It was a new experience, and it was really fun getting to compete. I think we did well overall,” sophomore captain Keira Trang said.
Preparation began in mid-October as the team transitioned from sideline performers to competitive dancers.
Because the team consists of four members, the girls could not rely on numbers to mask mistakes. Instead, they focused on strong stage presence to fill the performance space. Their routine featured a two-minute jazz dance that showcased floor work, intricate ripples, jazz turns and other technical elements.
Regarding the cleanliness of the routine, the team worked to maintain sharpness and precision; however, they encountered some execution challenges.
“I think it’s OK because it was our first competition,” senior Samantha Muro said. “We got back into the routine and didn’t let the mistakes stop us.”
“I think we’ll do better next time,” Trang said. “We practice so much, and I know that when we compete again, we’ll try even harder.”
Despite the win, the team said the most valuable takeaway was the detailed feedback from judges. The critiques highlighted areas for growth and provided guidance for future competitions. While there were no major point deductions, judges noted weaker technique in certain sections of the routine.
Coach Anissa Marie said the feedback was essential to the team’s development. “It gives us an outside perspective on what we need to work on, what we’re good at and the consistency we need to keep getting first place,” Marie said.
This performance marked the start of Gabrielino’s first-ever competition season for the song team. The team will continue its season on Feb. 22 at Sierra Vista High School.
