When the state title was on the line, the Bayfield Wolverettes stepped up with their performance of "Spy Girls," and they knew they nailed it.
"We came off the floor, and we knew it was fantastic!" said Sydney Milner, a senior on the dance team.
"We were satisfied with the routine," said Bridget Nistler. "We couldn't have done much better."
Their performance scored 75.29 in the preliminaries of the CHSAA 2A poms competition in the state spirit championships on Dec. 12 at the Denver Coliseum. The Wolverines were just two-tenths of a point behind the winning team, Bennett, with 77.39 points, and second-place Aspen scored 77.05 points. Those two schools were the only ones to move on to the final round of competition.
The team danced their final performance of "Spy Girls" at the boys home basketball game on Dec. 18.
Now they're turning their attention to their spring routine, which they are dancing to a song written and performed by one of their own members, Callie Jung. The song is titled "I Cannot Unlove You." The 11 members of the team put an incredible amount of work into camps, rehearsals and performances during the fall and winter sports seasons.
State is nerve-wracking because everyone attending is watching dancing, not a game, explained Sianna Harrison, the team captain.
"There are a lot of nerves," she said. "There are different mats, you take your pictures, you check in, and then you walk through the tunnel of the Denver Coliseum!"
The girls prepared for the statewide competition by dancing at the Four Corners Regional Spirit Competition, where they took second on Nov. 7. Their competition included 4A teams.
"it was the same routine, then we tweaked it for state," said Lori Nistler, the team's head coach. Last year, she was the assistant coach, and she has taught dance in Bayfield for years. Some of the girls started dancing at 5 or 6, but many come to the team with no previous experience.
"Some did cheer or gymnastics," she said of their previous activities.
Working together for months on end brings the team close together, Milner said.
"We're a close family," she said, adding that the team is so small, members have to get along with each other.
The team has tryouts in May, works on fundraising in June, and attends camps in Colorado or Arizona in the summer and performs in the Bayfield 4th of July parade. Practice starts in earnest in August, then performances are held during home football and basketball games. The season ends in February or March.
They will perform their new routine for the first time on Jan. 8 at another home basketball game and welcome fans to come cheer them on.
