Some 350 women from near and far came to the University of San Diego April 15 to try out for one of sport’s top dance teams, the San Diego Charger Girls.
Vying for one of the few spots on the team, the young women went through initial auditions, with those moving on 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 University of California, San Diego student Jennifer Bulgin, along with Pacific Beach residents Katie Shaw, Evelyn Damford and Dawn Jansen.
According to Bulgin, who is a dance major in college, making the squad would be a surreal opportunity.
“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 with Bulgin, this was also the first time trying out 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 noted as she warmed up prior to the auditions that she felt she performed better in front of larger crowds.
“I don’t know quite what to expect, but I’m going into it with an open mind,” she commented.
According to former Charger Girl and current team director Lisa Simmons, a lot of work goes into getting the auditions together each spring.
“This is my first full year organizing this and it is a lot of preparation, especially securing the judges,” Simmons said. “Today what we’re looking at from the women is a dance background and how they carry themselves in public. It is a great learning experience.”
Having been through this process herself, Simmons also pointed out that she knew what the women were going through.
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.