The Cathedral Catholic High School varsity dance team competed last weekend in its third and final showcase at the West Coast Elite Dance Nationals, taking first place in the small lyrical category, sixth place in the hip hop category, and second place in the pom category.

“This was the first time we’ve won,” CCHS dancer Allie Devine ‘19 said. “We were all super excited to hear our names and screamed at the top of our lungs.”

This competition marked the first win for the girls this season, a huge milestone for the young team.

“We have done pretty well [considering] we had five incoming freshman [who] were really beneficial to the team, but we’ve never won any competition,” CCHS dancer Lily Villasenor ‘19 said. “We never expected to do so well, especially at Nationals.”

Co-captain Ari McClure ‘18 not only led her team to victory, but she also topped 280 other middle and high school solo dancers, winning fourth overall in the solo category.