Having flawlessly executed their routine during the season’s state competitions and drawn many eyes during halftime football and basketball performances, Glenbrook South’s Titan Poms were guaranteed to attract national attention and receive one of the top rankings.

They had energetically entertained both students and adults during the Homecoming pep rally and parade and the annual GBS Dance Show, and will certainly draw more praise during the upcoming Variety Show. Their chances for success at the Universal Dance Association’s National Dance Team Championship were as bright as the beaming Florida sun.

The Titan Poms are instructed by Coach Julie Manning and Kelli Hagene and are led by senior captains Rachel Hirsh and Lauren Gumbiner.

The talented group of GBS girls performed in Orlando, Florida on February 3, intent on improving last year’s ranking when they placed 15th in the nation. Yet a year later, the ranking remains the same as the girls placed 15th in 2007’s Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship. They placed 8th in their division for the season.

Reflecting on the outcome, sophomore Poms dancer Tracy Sarli states, “We felt that we didn’t do our best. We had an off day and we definitely could have done a lot better. We know that we are much more capable.”

Junior Poms dancer Alyssa Bardales shares similar feelings stating, “We were disappointed but we put forth the effort—still, it wasn’t a good day for us. We worked so hard and it was sad to see it all go in a minute.”

Although the results were not what the girls had anticipated, they expect to change history and improve their ranking next year as Sarli states, “We’re excited for next year and we’re definitely going to improve.”