For the first time in history, the Center Hill High School Dance Team has won first place in Hip Hop and Pom in state. The Mississippi High School Activities Association Dance Championship was Dec. 15 in Jackson.

“I’m beyond happy about winning a double title,” senior Niyah Odum said. “Placing first in large varsity Pom and Hip Hop has never happened in CH dance history, so it’s a really huge accomplishment for CHDT, especially since it has been our main focus last year and this year, so to have made it happen my senior year feels amazing!”

CHDT placed second in the 2016 MHSAA Dance Championship, and Odum said a rigorous training schedule helped the dancers achieve their goal of placing first.

“We’ve been practicing since the first day of school,” Odum said. “We ran bleachers and conditioned every day up until state and it all paid off.”

The team will compete Feb. 2-4 at the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida, where last year CHDT placed eighth in the nation.

“Up next is nationals and our new goal is to get into the top 5,” said sophomore Kennedi Evans, adding that winning state feels amazing and now they are ready for Nationals. “Last year we made history by being the first year to advance to finals, and this year we are working hard to get into the top 5 teams and move on in Pom as well.”

That means more rehearsals, Odum said.

“All those hard practices aren’t over just yet,” she said. “We are all ready to work just as hard to get nationally ranked again this year. I am beyond proud of my team and can’t wait to continue the legacy.”