Despite placing 28 out of 31 teams this weekend at the IHSA state competition, the Tigers dance team is proud of their performance and ready tackle the rest of the season head first.

For the second year in a row, the ladies traveled to Bloomington to compete at IHSA state providing a whole new atmosphere for the team.

“Normally we are on a gym floor, whereas at state we are on marley. The lighting is also a lot different,” junior Lauren Trumpy said. “It’s totally dark except for the spotlights where we dance compared to regional competitions when it’s normal gym lighting.”

While the team may not have placed first, they were just happy to be a part of such a unique experience.

“I think for us, we were all in it together and really just proud of one another and proud to be a part of our team,” Trumpy said. “We genuinely love each other and that’s what makes this year different from any other year or any other team…”

The end of this competition came as a bitter sweet moment for seniors like Sydney Gerber and Camryn Pappert. The girls have been on dance team all four years of their high school career.

“It was sad and exciting. I just wanted my team to do our best. We have been working so hard since June and especially hard this past month,” Gerber said. “I knew we were capable of performing a great routine if everyone tried their hardest and remembered their corrections.”

The team is looking past the results of this weekend and on to their next challenge: Nationals.

“[It] is our national competition at Universal Studios in Orlando… basically it’s four days of roller coasters, shopping and dance which are all a ton of fun,” Trumpy said.

With over 200 teams involved in the competition, preforming well at this event is no easy feat and this year’s trip to Nationals is even more special for the girls as they usually only go every other year.

“…This year was an off year,” Gerber said, “but we did really well last year and convinced the school and all our parents to let us go again.”

The girls will make their trek down to Orlando later this month.

“We have a really good chance of winning this year,” Pappert said. “I’m looking forward to the time spent with my best friends, but we’re all ready to go down there and make EHS proud.”