Seymour dancers ranked nationally

By Steve Williams

Coach Kristi Ward McCord was working with Seymour High School’s dance team on the football field after the Eagles had finished their morning practice on July 31.

Twenty years ago, Kristi was the head majorette and feature twirler in the University of Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland Band.

McCord, a Seymour graduate, is in her eighth year as the SHS dance coach and also a Chemistry teacher at her alma mater.

As you can see, she’s giving back in a big way!

Kristi’s daughter, Lexi, is the team’s assistant coach and was on the dance team at Seymour High. She now is a senior at Tennessee and has been a member of the BOSS Dance Company at UTK for three years.

When this reporter met Coach McCord on that day recently, she stopped practice for a break and was gracious with her time.

She also was happy and proud to mention that Seymour’s dance squad won the TSSAA state championship in the Varsity Pom Medium Division in the fall of 2023. It was the school’s first state team title in any sport. That squad later placed seventh in the nation for Varsity Game Day.

Thirteen members made up that state championship team. Four were seniors and graduated – Emma Burnette, Ava Campbell, Ella Smith and Kendyl Smith. The other nine dancers are on this year’s team. They are Sophia Fields, Izzie Mayers, Addison McPherson, Emma Rose Booth, Landy Campbell, Lily James, Isabella McAtee, Samantha Valle’ and McKinley White.

New on the dance team this season are Adeline Hayes, Adeline Hodges, Isabelle Hodges and Callie Santel.

“Being a graduate of Seymour High School, I love teaching and coaching at my alma mater,” said Kristi. “My heart is for Seymour.”

The dance team performs on the field prior to the band playing the National Anthem and on the sideline during the game.