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02/22/2019 11:00 PMThe Branford dance team had to go back to the drawing board when it was getting ready to perform at last weekend’s State Championship. However, the Hornets pulled together and authored another chapter in their epic legacy by winning two state titles for the fifth-consecutive season.
Branford claimed first place in both the Small Varsity Hip-Hop Division and the Small Varsity Jazz Division when the State Championship took place at Hamden High School on Feb. 23. The Hornets won each division in convincing fashion. Branford totaled a score of 267.5 to defeat second-place Stratford (243.10) in hip-hop, and scored a 265.5 in the jazz competition to finish well ahead of runner-up Wethersfield (244.10). In addition to sweeping the meet for the fifth year in a row, the Hornets have now won a hip-hop title at states in 12 of the last 13 seasons and finished first for jazz in seven of the past 10 years.
While these are colossal achievements, they’re even more impressive considering the unexpected path that Branford had to travel in order to reach the apex of the state this season. For starters, the Hornets have been dealing with a variety of injuries since they competed at the Universal Dance Association National Championship in early February. Then, on the eve of the State Championship, Branford found out that one of its dancers was not going to be able to compete in the meet due to an illness. As a result, the Hornets had to significantly alter their hip-hop and jazz routines the night before the meet—all within the span of a three-hour practice.
The Hornets didn’t back down from the challenge. Instead, they rose up and worked hard in order to make the necessary changes. When it came time to hit the stage, Branford delivered a pair of pristine performances that won over both the crowd and the judges, resulting in the Hornets’ fifth-straight, double-title day at states.
“It was amazing. We felt so accomplished,” said senior captain Casey Allen. “It was the best feeling to know that we can still come out on top with everything that happened to us. The victory was even sweeter, knowing all the obstacles that we had to deal with.”
Allen leads Branford as a captain alongside fellow senior Lily Milici. The other athletes on the team are seniors Hannah Antonino, Rachel LaBonte, and Chloe Lourenco-Lang; juniors Samantha Esposito, Johnna Palmese, Bella Petrosino, Juliana Robinson, and Olivia Vitale; sophomore Layla Redente; and freshmen Emma Angelo, Mallory Baughman, and Anna Perricone. Jacqui Montano coaches the Hornets with Megan Palluzzi.
Coach Montano felt proud of her athletes for how they’ve overcome adversity this year. The Hornets essentially had to learn two new routines in one practice after they had been working on the same routines since October. Montano said that her team got right down to business as the hours were ticking down to the state meet.
“It was pretty incredible to watch them take on the challenge straight-on. We never heard complaints. No one was trying to push back. It was just like, ‘Let’s do this,’” said Montano. “They listened to whatever changes we were trying to do, they took everything in stride, and they stayed calm, cool, and collected. They really wanted to prove to themselves that they could do it and not crumble under the pressure. It was amazing to watch them be positive about it and help each other.”
While practice is supposed to make perfect, the Hornets still had to step into the spotlight and perform clean routines in states, while dealing the pressure of defending their titles. Coach Palluzzi said it was crucial that Branford’s dancers projected confidence on stage, even though there were most certainly some inside jitters. Palluzzi was pleased to see the Hornets answer the call by selling their performance with authority.
“You never would have been able to tell that anything was wrong. They acted like true professionals out there and brought the performance and entertainment quality to both routines. They made the audience, the judges, and everyone who was watching them feel something,” Palluzzi said. “They didn’t want to break legacy of what this team has been producing for the last several years. This just really proves that they are the professionals we believe they are and will come through in moments like those to make it successful no matter what.”
Each of the 10 teams in the Small Varsity Hip-Hop and Jazz divisions performed two-minute routines at the State Championship. Branford’s hip-hop routine featured its trademark fast-paced, high-energy style with a medley of several bass-heavy songs bumping in the background. The Hornets were fired up when took the floor for their hip-hop performance. Coach Montano said they were also smooth with their execution.
“We were ecstatic. They did amazing. Everything hit. All the new formations, all the pacing, everyone hit their spots and went where they were supposed to go,” said Montano, whose hip-hop team had previously finished 10th at nationals. “There were no big mistakes. Everyone learned their new choreography and hit everything. Overall, it was a great performance.”
Branford’s jazz routine featured an emotional performance that was accompanied by a cover version of the 1970 song “Ooh Child” as performed by singer-songwriter MILCK. It’s an uplifting number whose lyrics tell the listener that “things are gonna get easier.” However, after the Hornets performed their second immaculate routine of the afternoon, it became apparent that things were only going to get harder for the other squads in the competition.
“We always try to pick a song that has a story that the girls will connect to, and we felt the lyrics to that song would resonate with them. With everything they’re dealing with in their lives and all the stuff going on the world right now, it just seemed to fit,” said Montano. “There are so many stories that can relate to those lyrics, and the remake is just beautiful. It’s the perfect song for what we do, and a song that everyone knows, so it was nice to see us do our special take on it.”
Shortly after the Hornets completed their jazz routine, the final scores were tabulated for both divisions, and the verdict was crystal-clear: Branford had added another title to its dynasty by taking first place in both hip-hop and jazz for the fifth-consecutive campaign.
Lily Milici, a senior captain who's competed for the team the past four years, expressed a great deal of pride about what Branford accomplished. She was especially happy with how the Hornets overcame the odds to get the job done.
"It's such an amazing feeling knowing that we can make anything happen. Anything is possible and, if you come together, everything will work out," Milici said. "We really wanted to get those championships again."
The Hornets will be looking to bring home some more gold when they compete at the New England Regional Championship in Braintree, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 9. Branford has won the jazz title at that meet the past three seasons. The Hornets have won for hip-hop in four of the last six years, coming in second place last season.
Branford expects to go back to its original routines when the team returns to full strength for New Englands. The regional meet will be the final time that the Hornets perform this year. Coach Palluzzi wants them to leave everything out there and walk off the stage with no regrets in their quest to capture two more crowns.
“Regionals is typically our best performance of the season,” said Palluzzi. “We’re striving to make that happen again.”