Unas 350 mujeres de todas partes llegaron a la Universidad de San Diego el 15 de abril para ser parte de uno de los mejores equipos de baile del deporte, mientras las pruebas de San Diego Charger Girl ocupaban el centro del escenario.
Vying for one of the few spots on the team, the young women went through initial auditions. Those moving on were required to sit in for interviews and a final audition before the 2006 squad was chosen. A number of area women put their best foot forward to make the squad.
Among those trying out were UC San Diego student Jennifer Bulgin, along with Pacific Beach residents Katie Shaw, Evelyn Damford and Dawn Jansen.
Según Bulgin, quien se especializa en baile en la universidad, formar parte del equipo sería una oportunidad irreal.
“I’d love to make the squad and represent San Diego in a positive way,” Bulgin said.Prior to the auditions, Bulgin said she felt comfortable and was just going to go out and have fun.
As in the case with Bulgin, this was also the first time trying out for the squad for Shaw, Damford and Jansen. Shaw said she entered the tryouts with a positive attitude and felt it would be a good experience.
“Having grown up here, it would be amazing to make the squad,” Shaw noted. Damford, who went to school at Florida International and previously tried out for the Miami Dolphins dance team, agreed that it was an exciting opportunity for all the women in attendance.”I’m a little bit nervous, but I think it would be great to make the team and be involved in the community,” she said.
Jansen notó que sintió que se desempeñó mejor frente a multitudes más grandes mientras calentaba antes de las audiciones.
“I don’t know quite what to expect, but I’m going into it with an open mind,” she commented.
Según la ex Charger Girl y actual directora del equipo, Lisa Simmons, se necesita mucho trabajo para organizar las audiciones cada primavera.
“Este es mi primer año completo organizando esto y es mucha preparación, especialmente asegurar a los jueces”, dijo Simmons. “Hoy lo que estamos viendo de las mujeres es un fondo de baile y cómo se comportan en público. Es una gran experiencia de aprendizaje.”
Habiendo pasado por este proceso ella misma, Simmons también señaló que sabía por lo que estaban pasando las mujeres.
Along with those trying out for the first time, 20 Charger Girls from this past season were also trying out for the 2006 squad, with 28 spots up for grabs.For more information on who made the team, visit the Charger Girls at www.chargers.com. n