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Captains Megan and Lauren (center) help led the Shock Dance Team in another performance. |
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As captains, Shock Dance Team veterans Meg and Lauren have helped the team this season become one of the most highly-admired dance teams in the af2. We sat down with Meg and Lauren to get a closer look at what it’s like to be the Shock Dance Team Captains and perform for the largest and loudest crowd in the af2.
1. What are your roles as captains?
Lauren: As captains we act as coaches, leaders, and teammates. We run practices, appearances, promotions, and work behind the scenes during the games with the Shock staff to ensure performances and games run smoothly.
2. Are you learning any special dances for playoffs?
Meg: We will be performing 4 routines on August 4th, one of which is new.
Lauren: We are excited that we have the chance to continue dancing through playoffs. And of course we are prepared to dance our way to the Arena Cup again!
3. What is your favorite routine that you performed this year?
Meg: Girls, Girls, Girls.
Lauren: The Janet Jackson remix. I loved this routine because the entire team helped choreograph this dance. I also loved the pom routine we did to Michael Jackson's "Beat It". I am a huge 80's and Michael Jackson fan!
4. How do you work together as captains?
Lauren: Meg and I work great together. We are very close friends outside of the team, and have known and danced with each other for a few years on both the Shock and Gonzaga Dance Teams. We are both perfectionists and want what is best for the team. We usually take turns running practices and "cleaning" routines. We both supervise and are responsible for the girls in our own "lines" (which are the lines we dance in during the games on the sidelines).
5. What do you like most about dancing for the Shock?
Meg: I LOVE game day. The energy from the fans and the excitement of Shock games make being a member of the dance team an amazing and memorable experience.
6. What role do you feel the Dance Team plays in the production of the game?
Lauren: I know we play a huge part in the production of the game. After all, it's our job to cheer on the team and encourage the 10,000 fans!!! Arena Football is all about entertainment, whether you like to watch the players duke it out on the field or watch us on the sidelines, the Shock games have it all!
7. Do you ever get recognized around Spokane?
Meg: I don't really get recognized that much. Maybe it’s because my everyday appearance isn't quite as glamorous as my game day look.
Lauren: I do! However, my roommate Roshni gets recognized much more than I—even
when we are together. I have had people stop me in the mall or come into my work and ask for an autograph, especially now with the Dishman Dodge Commercial airing.
8. How long have you been dancing?
Meg: I've been dancing tap, ballet, and jazz for 20 years and hip-hop for about 10 years.
Lauren: I've been dancing for about 8 years. I was on my high school's dance team, am currently Captain of the Gonzaga Dance Team, and now am in my second year dancing for the Shock!
9. What song makes you want to dance the most?
Meg: Let's Get Loud by J-Lo. I love it when they play that song during the game. Also anything with a great, fast, up-beat tempo...I'm all about happy music.
Lauren: Any and every 80's song.
10. What can we most likely find you doing when you are not dancing for the Shock?
Meg: Working, dancing, and enjoying the sunshine. I'm a nanny and a dance teacher so usually working involves doing things I love.
Lauren: I am a work-aholic so you can always find me working. I try to find time to hang out with friends and visit my family in Seattle. During the year I study hard and dance for Gonzaga.
