Norfolk Pink Panthers make history in the Sunshine State

NORFOLK, Neb. -- “An experience we’ll remember forever,” said Norfolk dance coach Molly Meysenburg.

The Norfolk Pink Panthers recently took a trip to the East Coast to compete in the Universal Dance Association’s National Dance Competition in Orlando, Fla.

The Panthers were one of 18 teams from Nebraska to make the competition.

One of the captains, Cloe Klein, said being able to compete on a national stage is something everyone dreams about.

“We had so much fun,” Klein said. ”We really bought in as a team and got to compete which is obviously the whole goal of going down there and it was a great time.”

Most of the coaching staff were able to make the trip….except for one.

Kaitlyn Merchant went into labor as the team was making its trip down to Orlando so she couldn’t make the flight.

While Merchant said it was disappointing to not see the team compete, she added she won’t be missing the next trip.

“It was upsetting to not be there just because you’ve been with these dancers all year,” Merchant said. “There’s so much work and time and effort that went into this that isn’t always seen.”

“They were so excited for me to send the pictures of the baby,” Merchant said. “To be able to share that with them is a great trade off.”

While in the Sunshine State, Norfolk made school history.

When they qualified, it was the first time that the team made it for both hip-hop and pom. They placed 13th in the pom large group and placed 10th in the hip-hop large group.

“It’s a huge deal,” dance captain Maryn Mead said. ”Us going down to nationals for the first time as this team, we were really hoping to just make the finals and us placing top 15 really put Norfolk on the map.”

Now that the team made their mark on a national stage, the question should be, what’s the next step for this program?

The coaching staff said the bar is now set for what the team should continue to strive for.

Merchant added during an alumni event, former Panthers told them ‘it wasn’t like that when I was a Pink Panther’ and are impressed with how consistent the program has become.

“The more and more we can train as a team together and work on just dancing as one is super beneficial,” said coach Amanda Geselle. “That is going to continue to push us to the next level.”