BY MIA DRAGONE
Photo Credit: Stonehill Dance Team
As the reigning 2023 National Hip Hop Championships, the Stonehill Dance Team heads back to the national stage in hopes of coming back home with another win.
Head Coach Michelle Montinieri said the team has been embracing a heightened sense of pressure and the increased level of motivation that comes with returning to the competition after last year.
With the stakes higher than ever to win first place there was some change this season. Last year the team competed Jazz, Pom and Hip Hop but now they are only competing in two categories this season.
“This year we took a pause from competing in the Pom category to allow us to hone in on training and cleaning our Jazz and Hip-Hop routines. The team has implemented a regiment that includes 4 days a week in the weight room, 4 days a week at practice, plus supplemental cardio training (in tandem with performing at all the Men’s and Women’s Basketball games) to try build the athleticism and technique necessary to continue to compete at that caliber” Montinieri said.
Megan Monterio a junior who has been competing on the team since her freshmen year and was in the winning hip hop routine last year. To her, winning was a dream.
“When they announced second place and it went to Kentucky, we all instantly started crying. When we heard our team's name called for first place, we ran onto the stage hugging each other and adrenaline through the roof. I still remember that moment like it was yesterday. It taught all of us that it is not about what you do, but why you do it. During that final performance, we all danced with a purpose, and it was the best feeling we had ever felt,” Monterio said.
Returning to a competition with a previous win puts more eyes on the team. Megan Vanelli a senior on the team who also was in the winning routine last year, said competing for a small school has its pluses and minuses.
“Before we won last year, most of our conferences did not know who we were or care who we were. Winning forces people to recognize you.” Vanelli said.
Vanelli says the dance team is the only team from Stonehill to have a division 1 championship under their belts. Students and faculty now know who the Stonehill College Dance team is.
“A lot of people take us more seriously now that we are the first Stonehill team to earn a national title at the division 1 level. No other Stonehill team has division 1 rings except for us.” said Vanelli
The competition team this year will be competing in the Hip Hop division with 12 dancers and the jazz division with 10 dancers.
“This year’s hip hop routine is inspired by the concept of creating the sequel to last season’s winning performance. As a defending champion, we will be coming to the stage metaphorically with blood on our hands and our routine will athletically and artistically represent that.” said Montinieri
The Stonehill Dance team along with Head Coach Michelle Montinieri and Assistant Coach Allison Starring will head to Orlando, Florida to compete in the College Classic National Championship on April 12-13. They will be performing before Nationals s at Bryant University on April 7. More information on the team and their journey can be found on Instagram @stonehilldanceteam.
Comments