#SDSportsAwards, competitive dance: Washington Warriors take nothing for granted

Laser focus and passion to be the best fueled the Washington competitive dance team to claim a state crown — and in dominating fashion. At the state competitive dance meet, Washington took home the top marks in hip hop, jazz and pom to cruise to a state title, well ahead of second-place Roosevelt.

“This last year’s team impressed me as a coach by their continued drive toward perfection and their passion for dance that showed through in every routine they put on the floor, at every competition,” said coach Angela Nieman.

The program has now won state titles in seven of the past eight seasons.

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“The girls and I don’t expect to win based on reputation alone — each season is a challenge in itself. The girls are goal-driven and our number one goal is to be the best team and athletes we can possibly be,” Nieman said.

Even with early success this season, Nieman said her team wasn’t satisfied. Instead the Warriors continued to work, which eventuated in what Nieman called “one of the most decisive victories we have had in the program,” at the state meet.