Synergy, the competition clogging team with several Dawson County members, recently competed in the 2010 Clogging Champions of America national clogging competition, the Showdown of Champions.
On Jan. 29-30, 18 teams from 10 different states traveled to Spartanburg, S.C. to compete for a chance to win a national title.
Though Synergy did not come home as Overall Grand Champions, the team was more than pleased with placing in the top five in 10 out of the 14 categories it competed in.
“While the Overall Grand Champion title is the ultimate goal at a competition like the Showdown of Champions, we are very satisfied to place top five in most of our routines. As long as our dancers give it their all, there is not much more we could ask for. We are very happy with everything the girls do, regardless of trophies,” said Director Sarah Darby.
Synergy took home two first places, three first runner-ups, four second runner-ups and one third runner-up.
Their challenge elementary team won Elementary Team of the Year, which is the highest scoring team of the day in that age category.
Practicing for the Showdown of Champions was a long, hard journey. Each clogger spent any where from two to four hours each Sunday in the studio practicing every step, arm motion and formation.
“Practices are always intense before a national competition of course. We are proud that our dancers not only have a passion for dance and enjoy what they do, but also that they know when to buckle down and get focused to achieve their goals,” said Darby.
The road to the competition was a bumpy one, but it was rewarding for Synergy to have placed at the national level.
“Because most of our teams came from being at top of the Amateur division to being the underdogs of the challenge division this season, we really had an uphill battle to fight on our ‘road to Showdown.’
“Our girls rose to the challenge and because of their hard work and dedication all year, we were able to bring home some regional CCA titles, as well as national titles, in the National Clogging and Hoedown Champions circuit,” said Darby.