TRUMBULL — Matched up against the top teams from throughout the region, Newtown High School’s dance team put its best feet forward and took home third place in the Jazz Division of the New England Championships, at Trumbull High on March 15. The Nighthawks were just 0.7 points out of second place for their Jazz performance. The Nighthawks also competed in the Pom Division and took seventh.

“They’re competing against the best of the best from the region. There’s a certain amount of pressure but we also like to have fun,” Newtown Coach Emily Marks said.

Last year, the Nighthawks ventured to Vermont for the New England finals. “It was nice to be here at home, in Connecticut,” Marks noted.

The Hawks, coming off a State Championship in Jazz and third-place result in the Pop Division at states, are guided by Marks and Assistant Coach Lindsay Brestovansky.

Senior captains are Allie Kinsey, Ashley Schrader, Ava Warner, and Devyn Reilly. The other seniors are Lillian Ciaco, Lindsay Myer, and Sienna Guaragno. Juniors are Alexa Schmid, Aquinnah Schmidt, Kathryn Kavovit, Kayla Sinapi, Lila Spencer, Olivia Gulalom, Phoenix Sealey, Piper Adolfson, and Sophia Martinez. Sophomores are Ava Geiger, Astrid Martin, and Gabi Weiss. Freshmen are Ava Jackson, Kailyn Lahey, Sophia Lasaro, and Fiona Shaw.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.