Driven by Purpose: The OCHS Dance Team’s Remarkable Road to the UDA Championships

Ocean City High School is sending a powerhouse of athleticism and artistry to Orlando next week, and the message from Head Coach Alyssa Morrison is clear: these dancers are athletes in every sense of the word. The OCHS Dance Team is preparing to head to the UDA National Dance Team Championship at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports from January 30th to February 1st, a milestone that marks a massive accomplishment for the program.

The Road to Nationals

 Qualifying for a national stage is no small feat. To earn their spot, the 21-member team, comprised of 6 seniors, 4 juniors, 7 sophomores, and 4 freshmen, attended a rigorous three-day summer camp where they had to earn blue ribbons for their performances. As Coach Morrison notes, “All 21 dancers participate in all that we do as a dance team,” though the competition floor is limited to a specific roster.

This year, they will compete in the Division II – Large Varsity category for both Hip Hop and Jazz. The routines are a product of high-level professional collaboration:

• Hip Hop: Choreographed by Angelica Bua, an assistant coach at St. Joseph’s University and a former Philadelphia 76ers dancer.
• Jazz: Choreographed by alumni Kylie Gruber-Kolmer, a former team captain at Stockton University and current Philadelphia Flyers Dancer.

A Remarkable Achievement Amidst Adversity

 The journey to Orlando is an incredible achievement, especially given that the team operates without an official school budget. “We fundraise a TON!!!!” says Morrison. “I try to make sure my dancers do not have to pay for choreography, costumes, music, or competition fees.” Through relentless effort, the team covers thousands of dollars in expenses, often ensuring that the athletes’ trip to Nationals is fully funded.

Training is equally demanding. Although many members have danced since they were toddlers, their commitment to the school team is intense. “In addition to their individual studio training, we practice every Friday after school and often have choreography sessions on weekends that can total 20-24 hours,” Morrison explained. This year, they even added weekly weight room sessions to their schedule.

What makes their success even more impressive is the lack of dedicated facilities. “From November through March, we lose access to our dance room because it’s shared with the high school’s wrestling team,” Morrison said. “We practice on the gym floor whenever we can, but basketball takes priority.” This forces the team to be highly adaptable, often moving to community venues like the OC Civic Center to perfect their formations.

Redefining the Student-Athlete

 Coach Morrison is determined to change the conversation about her program. “Dance is often viewed as a hobby, but dancers are athletes who, in many cases, train as hard as athletes in traditional sports,” she says. “Dance is a sport.”

The roster is packed with multi-talented students who “really DO IT ALL!!!!” The team includes Miss and Jr. Miss Ocean City, varsity athletes in track and field hockey, cheerleaders, and members of the National Honor Society. Their impact also extends to charitable work with “Dancers Against Cancer” and the PROMise Parlor.

Looking Toward the Finals

 As they prepare to take the floor, Coach Morrison’s final words reflect the heart of the program: ” I want my team to know how deeply I believe in them. I know the countless hours they’ve put in, the sacrifices they’ve made, and how badly they want this, not just for themselves, but for each other.”

Fans can support the team by following them on social media (@ochs_danceteam) or watching the live broadcast on Varsity TV via FloSports. Currently, the team is scheduled to perform Hip Hop at 4:30 on Friday, 1/30, and Jazz at 4:55 on Saturday, 1/31.