Newtown High School’s dance team is ready for a championship run again this winter. Coming off South-West Conference Jazz and Pom Exhibition titles and a State Jazz Championship, as well as runner-up finishes in both categories in New England Championships, the Nighthawks are hungry for more.

“We are striving for the same success we saw across competitions last year. We will need to push every practice, and this team is ready to do that,” Coach Emily Marks said. “This team is very good at keeping the focus on us rather than our competition, which creates a very productive atmosphere.”

Although the Nighthawks do not worry about opposing schools it is worth noting that there are some tough squads that the Nighthawks must outperform.

“Every team is tough, but Hamden High School has won pom at States for the past 17 years,” Marks said.

The Hawks have been entertaining Newtown High fans at halftime of football games and working on their moves throughout the fall in preparation for the late-winter competitions.

“Dance is a two-season sport, and it still seems to fly by,” Marks said. “We are having a great time with our new routines and can’t wait to show them off this year.”

Newtown is led by senior captains 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 rounding out the lineup are Ava Jackson, Kailyn Lahey, Sophia Lasaro, and Fiona Shaw.

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