Georgia Red Hotz Plan To Spice Up Competition

BY MATT BARKSDALE
The Red & Black

The Red Hotz, the University's competitive dance team, is in Daytona Beach today competing in the National Dance Association College Nationals.

The team consists of nine students, all of whom have high expectations for the exciting competition.

"We feel we have a really good chance," said captain Ashley Britt, a senior from Fayetteville.

"On Saturday (March 24) we had a competition and our routine looked good."

Last year at Nationals, the Red Hotz finished second and are hoping the team's work ethic pays off this year with a title.

"We are a very committed group of dancers and cannot wait to represent UGA at Nationals," said Orian Edelman, a junior from Roswell.

The Red Hotz team started six years ago. Many people confuse the team with the Dance Dogs, who perform at basketball games.

"We are more of a competitive team, representing UGA on a national level," said Britt. "It is the only team that travels to compete against other nationally ranked teams as well."

The group performs at many University events such as charity functions and philanthropic events for Greek organizations. These events include HERO, Tailgate for the Team and Greek Grind.

Although they only are considered a club team by the University, the Red Hotz are committed to a tough standard of excellence.

"There are a lot of requirements they have to do to be selected on to the team," Britt said.

"We teach a routine they have to do. Then they also have to make up their own routine and have some required skills."

The team practices two to three times a week for two hours each time. The Red Hotz recently competed in the Showstopper Competition in Atlanta, where they received platinum, the highest award in the show.

The lone seniors on the team, Britt and co-captain Valerie Barth, have been on the team since they were freshmen.

Without the team, college would have been a lot different for Britt.

"It's been great. I have met my best friends and my roommate right now. There are nine of us on the team, and we have all become really close and have so much fun together."