WEATHER
Hip-hop is not just music for a group of 19 Gig Harbor High School students.
It’s a way of life.
Since the Tides’ varsity dance team incorporated a hip-hop program six years ago, their goal has been to win a state championship.
The group — called H2O — is going for the first-place crown Friday at the Yakima SunDome. They placed third at the West Central District III Championships earlier this month.
Last year, they finished second at the state competition.
This year’s seniors are more passionate about winning, because this is their last high school opportunity to be the best. Some have been dancing since middle school and have sacrificed other high school sports to make the dance team better.
H2O is often seen during intermission of Tides’ sporting events or school pep assemblies. Many have been dancing for four years.
Some of the girls who represent H2O have developed an interest for dancing at Harbor Conservatory, a Gig Harbor dance studio where they teach a variety of dance classes.
Tides senior Jaclyn Chopp, who has been dancing since the fifth grade, said it’s been the only thing she’s really been able to connect with.
Most of them agree that being part of H2O has created a bond and a feeling of accomplishment. They’ve placed at the top in several competitions this school year.
Tides dance coach Robin Bachmeier said she’s been honored to be a part of the girls’ lives.
“They’re like my own girls,” she said.
The Tides will compete right after the defending champions, Todd Beamer of Federal Way.
Senior Jackie Leptich said this is the moment they’ve been waiting for.
“Hopefully everybody will come together,” she said. “This is to show our school that H2O is awesome.”
Junior Breanna Helm has been on the team for two years. She said knowing most of the team will be gone next year because of graduation makes it more important to win.
“These are close memories,” she said, reflecting on the time spent with her friends on the team. “It’s like we’re a family.”
While other student-athletes form close friendships, these girls will take away similar types of feelings. Some are already thinking about going to the same college and continuing their hip-hop dancing.
Assistant coach Lydia Bachmeier danced with H2O before on the team but she graduating in 2005. She said H2O has one of the most difficult routines going into the state competition.
She said the team has steadily improved since its inception.
“Between districts and state, our routine evolves with improvements,” Lydia Bachmeier said.
She added that they take samples from music videos featured on popular television stations like MTV and BET, then they add a few moves of their own.
“We know what they (judges) want in competition,” she said.
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