TMS Dance Team earns first place in Junior High Kick at UDA nationals

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Thompson Middle School Dance Team recently returned home as champions after securing first place in the Junior High Kick division at the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship.

The UDA National Dance Team Championship took place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida from Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. During nationals, the TMS Dance Team secured first place in Junior High Kick after landing third place in the division the previous year.

Sign up for The Shelby County Reporter's free newsletter “We are elated to win this title and commemorate this year’s dedication and hard work,” said Audra Faust, the head coach of the TMS Dance Team. “This is a huge honor, and we feel so blessed to set this new school record.”

It was a powerful moment for the TMS Dance Team as they heard their name called at nationals—officially marking them as champions.

“The team was absolutely overcome with a variety of emotions from squeals and gasps to happy tears,” Faust said.

The success the team found at nationals was the conclusion of months of preparation that began back in March 2024. After tryouts, the team started practicing kick technique with a daily warmup held at every practice.

“We even started a new football game tradition of kicking any time our team scores points,” Faust said. “The crowd loves it, and it’s great kick-line practice for the dance team even on a game day.”

The TMS Dance Team practices during the spring and fall semesters three days a week after school with the exception of January in which they practice Monday through Friday with regional competitions on Saturdays.

When considering the importance of the dance program at TMS, Faust looked to her own experiences as a Thompson alumna—highlighting the value in the opportunity which helps to develop the students as they mature.

“As a Thompson grad, I didn’t have the opportunity to be on a school dance team as a middle school student,” Faust said. “I love that our school system values middle school athletics and gives this middle school age group the opportunity to work on their skills before reaching high school. It helps create better athletes, and ultimately, a stronger high school team.”

The TMS Dance Team first began competing at the national level in 2016—growing and improving along the way to reach the heights of success it sees today. Faust is joined in leadership by assistant coach Diana Wagoner in directing the aspiring dancers.

“Our team’s motto this year was ‘I can do hard things,’” Faust said. “ I love teaching a group of young women that hard work pays off. I hope this special group of girls will always remember that they can do hard things.”

The 2024-2025 TMS Dance is comprised of the following students: Caroline Adelberg, Anna Boshell, Terrann Barnes, Bella Findley, Tanner Forrester, Blakely Floyd, Chloe Hayes, Kayla Hinebaugh, Tatum Kato, Mollie Marshall, Libby Matson, Alannah Morris, Khloe Pedrick, Emma Ramey, Riley Ramm, Avery Tucker & Maddie White