Danny's Picks: Dance

Ladies and gentlemen, we are highlighting our last year-long sport before moving on to winter sports, which will include basketball, wrestling, swimming and diving, and bowling. However, it's time for us to focus — and highlight — the amazing student-athletes who are dancers. Besides being physically fit, dancers must master the choreography, be disciplined, be in sync with the music and show superb enthusiasm. With a ton of help with the coaches, here are the dancers to keep an eye on for the rest of the school year.

Cleveland High School

Brianna “Bri” Allumbaugh (senior): One of only two returning dancers and a team co-captain, Allumbaugh has been a "driving force" for the Cleveland dance program. I was told that when she found out that the CHS dance program was starting up again — after a two-year hiatus— Allumbaugh offered to help the coaches in any way possible. Here is what one of her coaches had to say: "She is incredibly hard-working and is doing everything she can to make her senior year in dance the best it can be. She is a beautiful dancer and one that all the other girls on the team can look up to."

Ruth-Mariah Borja (senior): Borja is the other dancer to return to the CHS dance squad after the program took a two-year hiatus. Borja is a co-captain, has had a vital part in determining choreography and has helped establish a positive culture for the CHS dance program. Here is what one of her coaches had to say: "A beautiful dancer who has a bright future ahead of her. In addition to dance, she excels as a violinist and an aerialist. Wow!"

Lauren Pinon and Sawyer Holcomb (juniors): These girls have been described as "future captains" who are selfless and are all about the team. They help with choreography, are vocal and take less experienced dancers underneath their wings. Here is what one of their coaches had to say: "Coach knows she can count on them to help with choreography, lead the team as needed and even sometimes take a step back from performances to help the less experienced dancers."

Victoria Morgan (sophomore): Morgan may be an underclassman, but she acts like a seasoned veteran. Did I also mention that this is her first year? Morgan has impressed, and is punctual about training. Here is what one of her coaches had to say: "This girl knows her stuff and what it means to be part of the team. She is always on time, never misses practice, and always makes her mark. Being that this is her first experience with dancing, she has been really impressive and a delight to coach."

Roslyn “Roz” Vargas (freshman): Vargas is the vibe-setter on the squad and the youngest to make the list. Here is what one of her coaches had to say about her: "This girl always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She frequently makes Coach King laugh with her quirkiness and ability to not sweat the small stuff."

Rio Rancho High School

Neveah Aguilar (junior), Asia Chadwick (sophomore), Hamsini Murali (junior) and Emily Burnell (junior): When I reached out to the Rio Rancho dance program, they specifically wanted to shout out the leaders on their squad, which included Aguilar, Chadwick, Murali and Burnell. These dancers are disciplined, hard-working, determined and are a true example of the "Ram Way." These dancers were also part of the marching band color guard who helped the Rams win the first NMAA State Marching Band title.

Madden Kamplain, Aubri Garcia, Selena Garcia, Lucy Cadman, Ava Montoya (juniors): But the four above were not the only four Rams to help the marching band win the inaugural NMAA State Marching Band title. These five dancers are lethal, balanced and always in time with the music. One of the coaches said this about them: "All very hard working, had to juggle regular RhythAMetteS practice, and band rehearsals as well as a two-week marching band camp over the summer; dancing and performing to live music is a great opportunity to create better dancers."

*Bernalillo High School does not have a dance team.