The Crusaderattes constantly impress the St. Dominic community with their unbelievable performances, leaps, and turns. This team of 14 is led by talented and experienced head coaches Erika Bosson and Kiersten Pruitt along with manager Lindsey Moore. Let’s get an inside look at some of the dancers and what the  Crusaderettes are all about.

The singular senior Taylor Larner has been a part of the St. Dominic varsity dance team for four years and happens to be the perfect leader and role model for the other girls.

“Being the only senior has been bittersweet. It is really fun because I have gotten to get close with girls in different grades, and I was also close with the seniors from last year. It is sad though because I don’t have anyone to share in all of the lasts with me, but overall this year has been great,” Larner said.

With four years of St. Dominic varsity dance experience, Larner has learned a lot about dancing and beyond. Larner gave us an idea on how these past four memorable years have affected her.

“When I started at Dominic as a freshman, I didn’t know anyone, so being on the dance team gave me a group of people to go to in the beginning. Each year I get even closer with the new team members and make even closer bonds with them. The dance team has also pushed me to become a better dancer and I’ve grown in leadership and community because of it,” Larner said.

But Larner is just one of many on this incredible team! Junior Maura Clerc, who has been a Crusaderette for multiple years now, never fails to put a smile on the faces of the team with her positive attitude and personality.

“When we are preparing for a game, I always love to have fun and we blast music and jam out together. It gets us excited to perform and we love making TikToks to pass time. This year is also different compared to my freshman year when we had 7 seniors. No one is ever intimidated to ask Taylor a question because we all get alone with her so well,” Clerc said.

The team recently danced on February 13 for the AAA Conference and put lots of time into making their performance perfect, and, to no surprise, they ended up on top.

“Dance team got first in both of our dances we competed with, mix and jazz. It was so fun because this was our first time ever experiencing hosting a competition since it took place at St. Dominic,” Clerc said.

With all of the styles of dance these girls show off during games and competitions, the Crusader family has had many questions on how these dances are prepared.

“The routines we usually do during the football season are learned at camp over the summer and the dances we perform at basketball games are choreographed by our coaches and guest choreographers. When we perform difficult routines, I always remind the team that it is never the end of the world and if any of us mess up, to keep having fun,” Larner said.

Sophomore Jill Haring also understands the importance of a good attitude when at dance. Haring continues to lead with her talent on the team as the younger sister of Annesley Haring, who was also a Crusaderette.

“Something I always tell myself is to come into practice with no worries. I never want to bring any outside problems and to be hopeful practice goes well if we are all not 100%. We also always have to work together and listen to each other and make sure that if someone gives anyone a correction, to always act upon it and fix it instead of thinking the correction is not for you,” Haring said.

Another sister of Crusaderette alumni, freshman Kylie Dorenkamp gave us her view on what it is like being a freshman with a whole new atmosphere of girls.

“This experience has been nothing but amazing. I came to Saint Dominic from a very small school so being a part of this team has provided me with the opportunity to get to know a group of girls that I consider to be my close friends. We have had so many memories this year both on and off the dance floor,” Dorenkamp said

The Crusaderettes have more to come this winter season with the upcoming games and have prepared more jaw-dropping dances. Even though the team has no more competitions scheduled for the rest of the year, due to COVID-19, the Crusaderettes will continue to strut their stuff on the dance floor.