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07/02/2012 12:00 AMComing into the season, the East Haven Pom-Pom squad was going into a year of transition-it had a new coach with a new playbook of moves to learn. Even with the morph into a new era, the Yellowjackets used it to produce plenty of success at multiple competitions.
The girls competed in four competitions this year, taking third at Dancing in the Woods, fifth at the CIAC competition, first place at a Southern Connecticut State University competition, and top honors at the Eastern Cheer and Dance Association competition at Hershey Park, Pennsylvania in April.
The Yellowjackets were led by senior captain Kaitlyn Vance (Sportsmanship Award), senior Danielle Dacey (MVP), along with seniors Katie Oca and Stephanie Lendroth (co-winners of the Coaches Award). With an initial year of success under their belt, Oca and her club are optimistic for their future endeavors and goals.
"[Kaitlyn] was always helpful and would come to practice early to help anyone out if they needed extra help. She was always making sure every girl was involved," Oca said of her captain. "[Danielle] is an incredible dancer who had just one year on the squad as a senior. I wish the team had her for all four years. [Stephanie and Katie] were both four-year members and were also captains. They were very dedicated and gave me 100 percent. While the Pom-Pom team will miss all of the seniors, we wish them all good luck. We are looking forward to another great year this fall."
Added Oca: "I do not know what I would do without [Assistant Coach] Cathy Wheeler. It was also the girls' first year with a new coaching staff. Kathy was just two years ago a member of the squad. She is an excellent leader and choreographer."