Emily Hauser, a senior Financial Management major at UNI, has been dancing for around nine years, four of those on the UNI Dance Team. For the past two years, the team has brought home some very shiny trophies from the 2011 Universal Dance Association National Championships in Orlando, FL, and as a captain on the dance team, Emily contributed a lot of the success.
What went through your mind when your squad’s name was called as the champions?
I was in complete shock. We had some really tough competition this year and we were just hoping the judges were able to see the same energy and talent that won us the title last year. Being able to come out on top for the second year in a row was in an incredible feeling!
What do you feel contributed to your success at nationals?
Our team seems to have a special bond this year and we were all on the same page from day one. While we work hard to perform well at football and basketball games, Nationals is what we really work towards every year. We really have to come together and be able to critique each other as well as self-motivate in order to achieve our goals. Being able to represent our University at the national level has been the most rewarding part of the UNI Dance Team and makes it all worth it at the end of the day.
What does your squad have that sets you apart from the squads you competed with?
Something that makes us very different from other teams is that we have not had a coach for the last seven years or so. We have really developed a system that seems to work well for a team. There are four captains this year including myself, Laura Dahm, Jessie Marx, and Hayley Rinehart. We choreographed our winning pom routine and ran all our practices in a way that kept us moving the right direction and staying productive. It takes a special group of college-age girls to be able to handle this type of practice environment and use it to our advantage.
What has been your favorite memory of the season besides winning nationals?
For me, this team is all about the little things. Some of my fondest memories aren’t necessarily the biggest game of the year, dancing in front of thousands, or putting on sparkly earrings. Our team is a really fun group of girls, and the time we’ve spent together outside of practice is what I’ll treasure the most. We did things like spending a weekend at Twin Lakes, went to movies, and had team dinners. We’re not one of those teams that hangs out because we feel like we’re obligated, but because we genuinely want to.
What advice do you give to the members of your team to make it a three-year winning streak?
I think they are more than capable of making it happen! After all my years of being on a team, I’ve realized just how important it is to not let nonsense get in the way. The maturity, determination, and mindset of each current and past team member has led this team what it is today. I will be so incredibly proud to call myself a UNI Dance Team alum and look forward to seeing what this team can accomplish in the future!
Want more? Check out the article in the Northern Iowan!