The Paint Branch Pom Squad entered Magruder High School on Saturday, January 13, for the Liberty Belle Pom Classic Competition with high hopes of placing. The poms did indeed improve on last year’s 8th place finish, but did not place in the top four.

Paint Branch set the floor for Division I, starting their seven minute performance with their “small pom” portion to the song “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World. As the crowd sang along, the team excited them with their sharp motions, facials, hitch-kicks, C-jumps, and leaps. They then quickly transitioned into their jazz portion with pom passes to get their poms off of the floor to the song “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. In this portion they gracefully performed high level techniques.

Next, the Pantherettes went into a kick section. However, as freshman Pom Rachel Plunkett approached a right split, the same way she has done many times during practice, she felt a pop in her hip. Though it was painful, she tried to get back up and continue with the routine, only to realize that she just couldn’t seem to do it. She quickly dragged herself off of the gym floor and “popped” her hip back into place. Plunkett, along with her teammates didn’t understand exactly what had happened at that point. Despite her accident, the team continued and finished strong. Following Paint Branch’s performance was Northwest, Churchill and Whitman High Schools. After intermission, Damascus performed a routine with very familiar “Crazy” themed music, followed by Wooton and Blake High Schools.

After the final performance, all the squads were invited out onto the floor to await their placing. Following the spirit, choreography, and captains awards, the team awards were announced. Damascus received 4th place, Blake received 3rd, Quince Orchard received 2nd and 1st place was awarded to Wooton High School. Not knowing their final placement, the Panthers left Magruder High School with the pride of knowing that they tried their hardest. “I’m really excited about what’s still to come of the competition season because we have a strong routine and very talented dancers that are really working together, stated Poms Head Coach Ms. Kim Sweet. “I think that once they clean up the performance, they can take home a trophy.”