North’s resident dance team, the Spartacas, are having a landmark season. The 2023-24 season marks the first time the Spartacas have competed at nationals since 2008. Despite this, the Spartacas have had their fair share to overcome, rooting primarily from injuries during the season.
Although the team has proven themselves time and time again to be talented athletes, their events are hardly publicized or remarked upon with much importance. The Spartacas don’t even receive gym space to rehearse, with dancers having to go to Roosevelt Elementary for practices. Their performance this season is especially impressive, all things considered, and will hopefully pave the way for more awareness of not only their talent, but also their hard work and dedication.
At the MSUM nationals sendoff on Jan. 8, they were unable to showcase the previously scheduled pom routine due to injuries. Regardless, their kick routine was a fan-favorite. Kick, a notoriously difficult style of dance, remains a classic among high school and university dance teams, and is criminally underrated. The key in kick routines is to not only wow the crowd with new and innovative choreography, often involving inhuman flexibility and complex formations, but to do all of that while making it look easy. The key element in a good kick routine is the upkeep of high energy and artistry from start to finish.
They were greeted by a warm round of applause that only grew when their song, “Call me” by Blondie started. Despite absences, the team still delivered. Impressive Rockette-esque formations with quick transitions were the most eye-catching, with all members making the seemingly never-ending eye-high kicks look effortless and clean. The debate over whether dance is a sport or not is a heated one, but upon watching highly technical routines such as this one, it’s abundantly clear that these dancers are athletes. Not only are they athletes, but they deserve to be recognized as such.
Standout performances from freshman Melissa Osorno and sophomore captain Charlotte Davis really stole the show, with the two often featured in formations. At intermission, Osorno remarked “I really like our kick routine, mainly because I love the artist who sings it. I feel very confident in kick because my strongest skill is flexibility.”
The team’s love for this routine was evidenced by their high energy, stamina, and diligence in executing highly technical formations and kicklines. The most notable moment was the kickline where all dancers lined up in the middle of the gymnasium. It was simple, yet effective. Its simplicity created the perfect vessel to showcase technique, as there were no diversions. The team nailed it. The Nemzek gymnasium erupted into applause and cheers for the duration of the kickline.
The Spartacas have demonstrated admirable tenacity through a difficult season. In spite of injuries and a lack of gym space, their performance quality hasn’t wavered. Their dedication to their craft is clear through not only their talents, but also their hard work, as well as school and team spirit. They’re criminally underrated athletes, and deserve as much recognition as any other team sport.
Morale remained high among the team leading into State and Nationals. Their performance at the Jamestown Invitational went exceedingly well, with sophomore rookie Gigi Wilson stating of the kick routine, “It was the best we’ve ever done it”
The team did well at nationals, which took place the weekend of Feb. 3 in Minneapolis. The team placed third in Small Varsity Pom and Small Varsity kick, and second in Small Varsity Jazz. An overall impressive finish to a difficult season, the Spartacas triumphed against the odds this year.