New team members. New coach. Same results for the Virginia Peninsula Community College ballroom dance team.

“I’m so proud of this team. We had to overcome a lot this year,” said Pam Roberts, the team’s adviser and a purchasing coordinator at the College.

Four of the eight team members were newcomers, but that didn’t slow them down.

“They did so well. They trained hard and went out and absolutely competed like they were veterans,” Roberts said of the rookies.

With all the fresh faces, the returners had to step up their game, and they did.

Pam Roberts (adviser and assistant coach), Christina Ortiz (co-captain), Cardmon Sixbey, Sarah Fank, Angilique Wade, Leah Norman, Salomae Suarez, J.D. Ellis (assistant coach), and Tori Feliciano (co-captain).

“I’m especially proud of my four veterans, who not only had to get ready for their own dances but also partnered with the newcomers,” she said.

In addition to new faces on the dance floor, the Gators had a new coach. Riccardo Pacini, who had been the team’s coach since its inception 11 years ago, returned to Italy because of health reasons. He was replaced by brother-in-law Simone Spadoni.

“Simone picked up right where Riccardo left off,” Roberts said, noting it wasn’t easy, though. “It’s hard to change coaches in the middle of the season even if they are from the same family.”

The team’s biggest competitions were held on consecutive weekends in April. As usual, they dominated.

First up was the National BAM Jam at the University of Maryland on April 11. The Gators took home more than 20 awards. For the four newcomers, it was their first competition, and all of them placed in at least one of their dances.

Roberts said there were more than 60 couples in the Newcomer 1 Rhythm Cha Cha category. VPCC swept the top four in that category and the top three in Rumba. All the newcomers placed in Latin, with the Gators first in Cha Cha and Rumba. The veterans, some of whom had to dance in more than 30 events, also placed in all their dances in both Latin and Rhythm. 

Next up was the Virginia Beach Dance Master event April 18. Team members captured 23 awards: 15 gold with honors, six golds, and two silvers.

“Everyone placed in all of their dances,” Roberts said.

That competition capped what Roberts called “a whirlwind year.” The team was featured on a national podcast, “The Dancing Housewife,” in October and was invited to compete in a national collegiate ballroom event.

“We were the only community college, and we were asked to share not only about the success our team has had but (also) how we have overcome the stigma of being a community college and the programs we offer,” Roberts said.

The team’s next competition is Aug. 8-9 in Norfolk at the Fantasy Ball.

VPCC’s ballroom dance club, which consists of non-competitive dancers, was named the student club of the year at the College’s student awards ceremony April 24.

For more information on the College, visit www.vpcc.edu.

About the College: Founded in 1967, Virginia Peninsula Community College (formerly Thomas Nelson) serves the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg and the counties of James City and York. The sixth largest of Virginia’s Community Colleges, the College offers associate degree and certificate programs designed for both university transfer and direct entry into careers. The College also serves students with non-credit, workforce training programs and services. Classes are offered online and at the Hampton and Historic Triangle campuses, the Southeast Higher Education Center in Newport News, three Workforce Development centers, at various instructional sites in the community.