Riverdale, NY - This past April, Manhattan College's dance team, the Jasper Dancers, won first place in the
Division I hip-hop category at the National Dance Alliance championships in Daytona, FL, defeating defending champion Weber State by more than a point, one of the largest margins of victory in the history of the competition.
GoJaspers.com sat down with Head Coach
Kaitlyn Marquette, who just finished her sixth year at the helm of the program, to talk about the
Jaspers' historic win, and learn more about what it takes to be a Jasper Dancer.
Q: What do you tell your team before moments of high pressure, like the national championship?
A: Before any huge performance, such as nationals, I tell the team to leave absolutely everything on the floor. At competitions you only have one shot, one opportunity to prove yourself to the judges. You must push yourself past what you believe you are capable of, have no regrets and give it 150 percent.
Q: Can you give an example of a day in the life of a Jasper Dancer?
A: A typical day for a Jasper Dancer is waking up and grabbing breakfast, usually with some teammates and then heading to class. After a day of classes, they then head to meetings for some other clubs they are involved in, such as Student Government, The Quadrangle and [the Society of Women Engineers]. On days when they don't have have practice or a game, the dancers head to the gym with some teammates to follow their fitness plan, grab dinner with teammates and work on homework. If it's a practice day, they get ready for practice around 8:30 p.m. and head to Draddy for 9:15 p.m.-11:00 p.m. practice. If there's a game, they start getting ready around 4:30 p.m. to get to Draddy an hour before the game begins. Weekend practices start with a team breakfast before a 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. practice time. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter and most times with a basketball game afterwards.
Q: What are your practices like?
A: Our practices vary depending on the season. However, they always begin with a cardio warm-up and team stretch. During basketball season, we will practice our sideline and game day routines. During nationals season, we focus on our technique and nationals routines. This consists of doing sections of the routine over and over again to make sure it's perfect. Practices are jam-packed, most of the time very long and physically demanding, but it's also the best time for the team to come together and work as a unit towards specific goals.
Q: Who on the team has stepped up in leadership this year?
A: This year we had two incredible captains: juniors Taylor Malangone and Megan Dreher. They have been on the team since they were freshmen and complement each other very well. They set the tone for each practice and continue to motivate their teammates, even in the most difficult of times.
Q: What originally got you into coaching?
A: I was 23 and my friend, who was coaching our former high school dance team, suddenly passed away. Through her, I had stayed connected with the team, and when she passed away, the head coach called me and asked if I would take over. I said yes, because I had a relationship with the girls and they were absolutely distraught, so I wanted to be there for them and help them through this difficult time. I found so much joy in helping others succeed that I decided to continue pursuing my coaching career.
Q: Which of your team's routines is your favorite?
A: I would say the Jasper Dancers' favorite routine has to be their National Championship hip-hop routine. Not because we won with it, but because it told our story. It was more than just dance moves to music; it was full of emotion and passion, and allowed the team to truly dance from the heart. Dances like that don't come around often, and the team really connected to it. It was risky doing that style of hip-hop, and I proudly stood by the decision since day one.
Q: What in particular about Jasper Nation makes it a good environment to be a Jasper Dancer in?
A: Jasper Nation is such a prideful, supportive community. We are a small school, but Jasper Nation always comes together to represent and support their friends, athletes and colleagues during the most important events. Everybody knows everybody, and we are all rooting for each other to succeed.
Q: What is one thing about being a Jasper Dancer that most people don't know?
A: That the Jasper Dancers are a club! We fall under Student Engagement and fundraise for our program. However, we do not run as just a club. I as a coach push them as if they are an athletic team. They practice the same amount, if not more/longer than other teams. Practices are physically and mentally demanding and the team dedicates 15+ hours a week to be a member of this team. Dance is an athletic art form and should be practiced as such. There are no scholarships to be on this team, we are just filled with pure passion for dance, love for our teammates and support for Jasper Nation.
