Broomfield High pom teams perform at nationals, virtually

Apr. 15—Three days after the Broomfield High School poms team returned from the national competition in 2020, "the world shut down," as one senior put it. But quarantines, remote practices and virtual competitions didn't stop the team. It only made it stronger.

Both the varsity and junior varsity teams won the hip-hop state title at this year's Colorado High School Activities Association state spirit championships — the third state championship in four years for the varsity team and the third consecutive championship for the junior varsity. The teams competed virtually in the national competition and they are headed into the finals in third place, coach Carrie Nitchoff said. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, their routine for finals looks a little different.

Instead of traveling and performing in front of a live audience and judges, the team filmed its performance for finals and had to upload the video for judging by Wednesday evening. Now, they wait for the results. Nitchoff said they should know how they placed by April 25.

"We go into the gym and they give us a slate to hold up to make sure that we're doing it in real time," Nitchoff said Monday of the virtual competition process. "All the things they have to think about, right? Then these beautiful ladies do their routine like they would be competing at nationals and we record. Usually they hit it one and done. We just make sure we're happy and upload the video and cross our fingers."

While much of 2020 involved working or schooling in front of a webcam, Co-captain and senior Mia Gallegos said virtual competitions "are funny to watch."

Along with virtual competitions, the poms teams haven't skipped a beat in continuously adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

"We got to a point where we would have to stop practicing in person and we'd have to practice via Zoom meetings, which is really difficult, or we'd be outside in the hot summer on the tennis courts practicing," senior Melanie King said.

Co-captain and senior Emma Goldberg said when other students returned to in-person learning in February, the poms teams stayed back and chose to learn remotely for three weeks to avoid any exposures to the virus.

"We had a lot of hiccups throughout, but toward the end and especially the last few weeks leading to to our state competition, we were really blessed to not have any hiccups," Gallegos added. "Which a part of that was we were quarantined for the last three weeks before the state competition."

Senior Bitsy Mielke said the team is thankful it chose to make that sacrifice.

"We were lucky that we were able to go to state, because some of our good friends had to get quarantined and couldn't compete," she said.

Gallegos said the team went into this season wanting the state title.

"Last season, we got third at the state competition, which was OK. It was good for all of us almost to get that reset, that reality check, almost like we need to fight for this for real," she said. "We already went into this knowing the girls really wanted the state title this year. But with things being taken away from us this year that drive was strengthened."

After an asynchronous learning day Monday, the 17 varsity dancers and six junior varsity dancers gathered to film the opening video for this year's poms showcase. Various combinations of dancers scurried into different rooms of The Establishment at Bradburn Village to film segments that will be compiled into one music video. Unlike some of the curveballs this year, the music video is a tradition for the showcase.

"It's the opener to our showcase. It's really fun," Nitchoff said, adding the teams are eager to perform indoors for a crowd. "The best thing about the showcase is it's all their choreography. ... The choreography is a piece of their beautiful little hearts."

Gallegos said as she and the three other seniors graduate and move on — a topic that makes Nitchoff cry — she's excited to see where the poms team goes.

"There's just a whole new level of resiliency. We're all heading off, I'm excited to see them grow. And they have grown because of this season," she said.

The Broomfield High School poms showcase is scheduled for April 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. It will feature both teams and will include all competitive dances along with the pieces choreographed by team members. For tickets, contact Nitchoff via email at carrie.nitchoff@bvsd.org.