There’s a division at the 2018 NDA High School Nationals that's only been hosted one year since the start of the championship —the Medium Varsity division! 

2018 is brining back the opportunity for a national champion to be crowned in the Medium Kick Division! High Kick was the only Varsity category without a Medium Varsity Division last year, and NDA is excited to bring this opportunity back. The only team to earn a championship title in this division was Smithtown West High School in 2014!

To qualify and compete in any Medium Division at NDA, the dance team must have 11-14 dancers take the stage. Following the NDA rules of Kick, each routine must have a minimum of 45 kicks performed by the majority of the team. That’s quite a few kicks to fit into just two minutes!

High Kick is always a crowd pleaser because of the precision, visuals, and symmetry of the routines. Be ready for these skilled athletes to wow the crowd as they showcase their flexibility and strength as well. 

Varsity TV caught up with the head coach of the reigning Large Varsity Kick Champions, the Lake Mary Marionettes, to hear more about what helps teams stand out in this tough category. Coach Stephanie Kersten has been coaching and competing at NDA for 13 years.

“I believe the NDA judges are looking for technical kicks that are clean and unique and difficult kick sequences," Kersten said. "I also believe at NDA, the theme plays a lot into their love for the number, which I love, but it also makes it harder to choose a theme every year.” 

When you watch past routines in the Kick Division, theme is everything! Here are some teams that you should tune in for this weekend that have moved to the Medium Division.

Smithtown West Varsity Whisperettes 

Smithtown West won the championship in the Small Varsity Kick in 2017 and are ready to claim a new title with more dancers this year. Check out their routine from last year.

Rancocas Valley Regional High School

These dancers took home the runner up in Small Varsity Kick and always put on on a show. Will the New Jersey team find the top spot in the new division this weekend?

Madison High School Dollies

The Dollies have done well at NDA in the past and their moving from the Large to Medium this year! Let’s see if they can up the energy and wow the judges again with their new routine. The Dollies took home third place with this routine.

New Smyrna Beach High School Showdolls

The Showdolls have one of the longest legacies competing kick, so they might surprise us with a top spot this year!

Be sure to capture every moment in this brand new High Kick division at the 2018 NDA High School Nationals!

By Megan Miles

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