The varsity girls field hockey team has a unique and energetic pregame ritual—dancing. Before each game, they roll out a giant speaker, form a circle around it, and blast their signature song, “I Love London” by Crystal Fighters, taking turns doing dance moves.
The resulting ring is playful and full of energy, creating a great team atmosphere. The dance, a newfound tradition this year, “is a great way for the players to warm up and get everyone going before games,” junior Caroline Gaines said.
Not only does dancing provide a great way to warm up, but the team bonds over it as well. “I think it’s really fun because it brings us all closer together, too. It’s a great tradition,” junior Lilah Small said.
As the season went on, the team began dancing to other songs to spice things up, such as “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex.
Their enthusiasm is contagious. The players even managed to convince the varsity boys soccer team to join in during a pre-Homecoming connection event between the two programs. Junior and soccer captain Gabi Raviv called it the “ultimate team bonding experience.”
“It allowed everyone to be themselves,” Gabi said. “The energy produced from the music and from everyone getting into it was infectious, and we danced to [“I Love London”] on loop for about 45 minutes because of how fun it was.”
The riveting warmup routine has brought the field hockey team closer together and created memories before the games even start. It’s more than just a warm-up; it’s a symbol of the team’s unity and joy. The players brought that same energy and connection onto the field this season, advancing all the way to the State Sectional Finals. Their chemistry shone as brightly as their dance moves.
