HAMPTON — The Virginia Peninsula Community College ballroom dance team capped its season by earning 75 awards at the Virginia Beach Dance Challenge.
The Gators took home 46 first-place honors, 20 seconds, eight thirds and one fourth in the event, which was held May 16.
“We swept all four top individual honors, winning top newcomer lead and follow, as well top silver follow and top international lead,” said coach and adviser Pam Roberts, who works in accounting at the college. “These were overall wins for the entire competition.”
Winners were: Anthony Hutchins (top newcomer lead), Asayah Baht, (best newcomer follow), Lawren Speight (best silver follow), and J.D. Ellis (best international lead).
“The team did a great job at their final competition for the season,” Roberts said. “The highlight was taking all four individual overall awards.”
The team won nearly 200 awards on the year, including its first overall victory.
“The team definitely became stronger as the season progressed,” Roberts said. “My veterans were already strong, but having the newcomers become so strong and confidant in the second half of the season is what really made us stand out.”
Roberts said the team entered more events than in past years, including two national competitions. The team won more than 160 individual awards, including 34 top awards. The team won two open competitions against dance studios or schools.
The open competitions were in Richmond and Virginia Beach, allowing students’ family and friends to attend. The team also made great connections with others in the dance community.
“We’ve had several of the private studios reach out to us asking how they can support the team,” Roberts said. “We had one couple drive all the way down from Richmond to bring costumes to donate to the team.”
For more information on the college, visit vpcc.edu.
