For months, the Greeley West Hip Hop Dance Team practiced nearly every day to work toward a state title. For 20 minutes Friday night, they thought they had one.
“I think we went from the proudest moment of our life to the most embarrassing, heart-wrenching moment,” said Lexi Herman, a junior from Greeley West High School.
Greeley West faced Overland High School of Aurora in the 5A Hip Hop Dance Finals, part of the State Spirit Championships at the Denver Coliseum. The announcer named Greeley West as state champs, and they were given the first-place trophy.
“It was so overwhelming,” said Marissa Agripino, a junior.
Twenty minutes later, the trophy was taken away by an associate commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association, Rhonda Blanford-Green.
She said the data on the schools was accidentally reversed when it was entered into the computer.
“What made me upset (was) the guy who made the mistake on the computer,” said Ty Japena, a senior. “That’s your one job.”
“My apologies to the Greeley West team,” Blanford-Green said, “but again, as a former athlete, as a representative, I have to do the right thing.”
Despite all their heartache, the Greeley West team actually feels sorry for the dancers from Overland High School.
“They didn’t get their time to call and go get the trophy and have everybody cheer for them,” said Jordyn Book, a sophomore.
The Greeley West team said the Overland dancers did deserve to win and offered them heartfelt congratulations.
