'Sky's The Limit' For Ramapo Dancers Heading Into Nationals

MAHWAH, NJ — A decade after the Ramapo College Dance Team had brought home the national championship title, these program alums-turned-coaches are looking for their full-circle moment.

Coach Valentina DeSantis said that, for her and her co-coach — as alumnae of the title-winning team — the opportunity to win as instructors would be all that much sweeter, though just the process and experience of getting to nationals this year is "extra special."

"Having the personal experience under our belts to then be able to lead these talented dancers down that same path is always the most rewarding part for us," DeSantis said.

"The opportunity," she added, "to compete alongside the extremely talented teams at nationals is always an honor year after year."

Ramapo has placed in the top five at the National Dance Alliance Nationals in its division each year for the past 13 years, registering several finishes in the top three. The Roadrunners also won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

"It is always a goal of ours to stay within the top 5 / top 3 range," coach DeSantis said. "If there is any team that can bring the title back home, it's this group."

The Ramapo team received a Silver Bid (based on the number of dancers) to nationals after placing first at an NDA camp in August against other Division 3 schools. In addition to winning the bid, several of the Roadrunners also received special awards and invitations to become NDA instructors.

"I believe this group is particularly strong because (the dancers) work extremely hard," DeSantis said. "They put so much time, blood, sweat and tears into this season, and it truly shows. They understand what it takes and are willing to take all the risks and put their trust in us when it comes to getting them where they need to be."

Roadrunners Emma Schneider and Jada Oddo won individual competitions, and they, along with Anja Runddlett, each received invitations to become NDA staff members — a "huge accomplishment," their coach said.

"Having members of our team be recognized as leader figures is such an honor," DeSantis said. "The sky's the limit, and we can't wait to finally get (to nationals) to take the floor."

The dancers, she said, have practiced and rehearsed since June to prepare for nationals in April in Daytona Beach, Florida, and, as a result, the team's skill level is at a point where it has never been before.

"Since last year, (the team's) performance quality, overall technique and skills, and passion have definitely been elevated, which is all we can ask for on a year-to-year basis," the coach said.

Last year's third-place finish at nationals — the first time the competition was held since pre-COVID — had lit the fire going into the 2022-23 season, as the team was "stronger" than the coaching staff had ever seen, DeSantis said.

But feedback received on competition routines at an invitational earlier this year got the athletes excited to work even harder and make the appropriate changes to bring their dances to the highest of levels, she added.

"It is always a crazy concept to grasp — we work so hard all year for two minutes. That is it. Once given the chance to attend nationals, our dancers work extremely hard just to show what they have been working on for a two-minute performance," DeSantis said.

"Having those 2 minutes to show what your team represents is always an incredible and surreal feeling."