Aidan Duke and Kaylee Davis

Writers

Keeping up their winning streak, the MHS Bootleggers won the state kick competition for the fourth time in a row on Saturday, Dec. 12.

The Marlow Bootleggers have participated in the State Kick Competition in 2A, 3A and 4A for 12 years.

Out of the 12 years that the Bootleggers have attended the competition they have won 7 of them while winning the pom category three times.

They were also runner-ups two times for two years at the pom category in 2A, 3A and 4A.

The senior Bootleggers have won the State Kick Competition all four years throughout high school showing their dedication at the event.

The competition was held at the Cox Convention Center located in Tulsa, OK. and took place against the Miami Wardogs.

One of the Marlow Bootleggers that has helped lead her fellow team is Senior Payton Ortega, who has been a Bootlegger member since their winning streak began in 2019.

“I joined because I really love dancing and I wanted to be part of a sisterhood and be a role model for others around our school,” Ortega said. “I think it is really cool that we won because no Bootleggers had ever done it four years in a row .”

Another leader that has also had a major impact is senior Karlee Harrison.

“I thought I danced well,” Harrison said. “I believe all my teammates danced well, and it was overall  just a great day for us”

The team has overcome many challenges and reached new heights with the help of their coach Leesha Crowson.

Crowson has coached the Bootleggers since 2008, and she enjoys seeing the growth of the girls, both in dancing and leadership abilities.

“I was excited for the team to see the benefits of their hard work, endurance, and perseverance,” Crowson expressed. “They worked hard through difficult practices and helped encourage each other when times got tough.”

The Bootleggers will continue dancing as the school year continues.

Their current plans for the year’s future events will be dancing at MHS basketball games.