TCU Elite Dance Team, a team of 19 girls, raised close to $46,000 to fund its trip to compete at the national level.

The student-run team consists of girls who want to continue their passion for dance at the college level. 

“Not only have I loved being able to dance for four more years, the group of girls is what makes it the most special,” said Hannah Osborne, TCU Elite Dance Team head coach and senior strategic communications major.

“I’ve lived with some of them. We all truly just want the best for each other,” she said.

They will compete with a jazz-style routine in Orlando, Florida, at the Dance Team Union College Classic National Championship on April 12-13.

The team emails family, friends, alumni and local companies, asking them to donate to their team and for nationals.

“We have a really strong alumni base. Alumni tend to donate to us, and it is a big help,” Osborne said.

The Elite Dance Team also has a website where they sell merchandise, and a part of the proceeds goes back to the team.

Last year at The College Classic, TCU competed against other D1 schools, including the rival Baylor Songleaders.

The team placed fourth out of eight teams. “We were the only student-run team to place in the top six,” Osborne said. “Competing at the national level with help from family and friends means the world to us.”

When the team arrives in Orlando on April 11, they will get to practice on the Marley floors Friday night and Saturday morning. They hit the stage on Saturday night for the semi-finals and then compete on Sunday night for the final battle.

Winning isn’t everything for these girls; it’s the proud moments that come along with it.

“This team has put everything and more into working on our routine this year,” said Kenzie Harrison, Elite Dance Team assistant coach and junior physical education major. “It would mean the world for it to pay off in our score. However, I think being proud of the routine we put on the floor means more than where we place in rankings.”