Winning a Premier Pom world title at the International Cheer Union World Championships wasn’t on the Hofstra University dance team’s bingo card for the 2022-2023 school year.

The team placed second in the pom division at the Universal Dance Association National Competition, and they weren’t expecting to compete at all in the spring off-season.

That didn’t stop all 23 dancers from Hofstra University from giving Orlando, Florida, a show worthy of the gold medal at the International Cheer Union World Championships from Wednesday, April 19, to Friday, April 21.

“I’ve been competing in the dance team circuit for eight years now and going to the World Championship has always been a dream,” said Marina LoRe, a senior and team captain. “As a leader and a captain, it means the world that I can say that I led the team to the world championship and that we came home with the gold.”

Being chosen to represent the United States at the ICU World Championship is an honor that few can share, and even fewer can speak to the thoughts and emotions in the middle of performing their craft in hopes of bringing home the gold.

“When I got on stage … that’s when the nerves actually hit me, like, wow, I’m representing the United States of America right now,” said senior Gabriella Marinelli. “All we wanted was to be proud of what we had done and represent the Pride in the best way possible.”

Photo courtesy of Erin Quinn