With a constant emphasis on synchronization, musicality, artistry, and team unity, the Junior Varsity (JV) Poms have a nearly undefeated season, placing in the top three at every competition, Katelyn Dundovich, JV Poms Head Coach, said.
Although the team, which consists solely of freshmen and sophomores, has focused on confidence and consistency, they aim to celebrate their progress every week in order to stay motivated through a long season, Dundovich said
“While our Poms season is long and demanding, we stay motivated by setting both team and individual goals, fostering strong team bonds and celebrating each week’s progress,” Dundovich said. “We always prioritize having fun throughout the journey.”
The JV team has a Sophomore Leadership group of six girls, Bailey Kramer, Lucy McDermott, Sarah Rosenthal, Peyton Smolcich, Keira Stender, and Claire Stratton, Dundovich said. The Leadership Group covers details during practice that their coach normally does, setting an example for the freshmen on the team and giving the sophomores a way to be a role model, sophomore Bailey Kramer, JV Poms Leader, said.
“We text reminders to our team, pick our competition makeup, and get to pick out what we wear at practice,” Kramer said.
The JV Poms season can be difficult for the team, as it begins in May with tryouts, as well as pre-season practices and preparation before that, Dundovich said. Besides their demanding practice schedule, the team has competitions that stretch across the entire day on most weekends and continues competing during school breaks, Kramer said.
The team attends overnight camp in June for four days, then proceeds to more practice in July working on technique, team bonding, and learning competition choreography for the year, she explained. August through October they are in football season, then towards the end of October through February is competition season, as well as performances at basketball games, Kramer said.
“The hardest part is managing your schoolwork because [Poms] is a three season sport,” Kramer said. “We [practice] over the summer, fall, and winter, so it’s a lot every day.”
Poms attributes their success this season to constant team building, Smolcich said. The Leadership Group is able to relay messages to the freshmen and forge relationships through their summer season, Smolcich added.
“A big part of what makes Poms so special is the team chemistry,” Smolcich said. “If you have really good team chemistry, it is easier to dance as one, rather than as individuals.”
A highlight of the team’s season was the JV Central Suburban League (CSL) Conference Competition, where the Titans placed first for the third year in a row. Not only was the competition rewarding because of their placement, but the team also experienced support from a vast group of South’s community, Dundovich explained.
“There was an immense amount of Titan spirit at this competition from parents, friends, Titan Pom alumni, and [South’s] Athletics Department, which made the competition so special,” Dundovich said.
On Jan. 25, the JV Poms ended their already incredible season with a bang, taking fourth place out of 30 talented teams at the JV Championship Dance Competition hosted in the Titan Dome, Dundovich said.
“We [were] honored to host the JV Championship at GBS and compete on our home court for the last time of the season,” Dundovich said. “The Titan spirit was fabulous that day.”
