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Countless hours of practice, half time routines, and battling nerves have prepared them for this moment; a moment that repeats itself every fall, no matter how seasoned the performer.

Each spring, auditions are held to fill the dance team’s roster for the following season. Then, when September rolls around, the girls who were already chosen for the roster team must re-audition for a spot on the competition team.

“I don’t mind trying out [each year]; It puts into perspective that your spot is not permanent,” Stacia Hogue, senior dance team captain, said.

As re-auditions approach the members of the dance team prepare themselves to try out for a position and test their skills.

“When it comes to competition season we try out for three different routines: pom, hip-hop, and jazz,” Tara Curry, junior dance team captain, said. “You can try out for all three or just one, but you have to try out each year for the competition team.”

Auditions for jazz and pom have already occurred and hip-hop tryouts will be held during the last week of September.

“I choose to have them try out every year because, number one, I think it drives them to be better because you never know what kind of talent or caliber is coming through the door,” Stacie Horton, head dance coach, said. “And [number two] for me to see at the end of the year how they have grown.”

Curry said no matter how old or experienced the dancer is, the tryouts can still make them nervous.

“Usually after you are on the team for one year, you typically make the team again, but you still have to go through the audition process,” Curry said. “It’s still nerve-racking no matter how many years you’ve been on the team because you are still in front of a panel of judges.”

Although the tryouts create high nerves and high stakes, one dancer said it’s for a good reason.

“Every year it feels like there is such awesome talent coming in and the girls keep getting better and better,” Hogue said. “It’s always a challenge and I love it. If I wasn’t nervous, something would be wrong.”

Hip-hop auditions at the end of the month will complete the re-audition process. At that time, the competition teams will be filled and the dancers will continue to prepare for their first competition in December.