Blinn College alumna Hayley Webb may have discovered her talent for dance before she knew her multiplication tables, but she credits her time at Blinn College for helping her turn her passion in to a career.
Webb was drawn to the Blinn College – Brenham campus in 2011 for its award-winning Treasures dance team. After her freshman year, Webb was named captain in 2012. Blinn placed second at the annual National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals in Daytona, Fla. in both her freshman and sophomore years.
“I loved the dance team at Blinn College,” Webb said. “It was a really great two years to grow as a dancer and as a student, too. When you’re involved with athletics you have to always be on your “A” game. Our coaches and instructors made sure we had access to tutoring and that we stayed on top of assignments.”
A dancer since the third grade, Webb said Blinn opened her eyes to a different kind of competitive dance. In high school, her dance team would feature eight routines during competitions, but at Blinn, the team only had one shot to take home a victory.
“We learned one routine and practiced it for six or seven months,’ Webb said. “It was hard, but I loved it. It’s kind of like trying to win one game for a national championship. Everyone was giving it their all.”
After two years at Blinn, Webb transferred to the University of Louisville, where she joined the Ladybirds dance team and studied exercise science. She then transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington to be closer to home. She expects to earn her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in May 2015.
This summer, Webb auditioned and was selected for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers. After more than a week of the grueling tryout process, including a freestyle routine, several new routines and an interview process, Webb was chosen to the team of 20 dancers from 300 women who auditioned.
“I was extremely nervous,” Webb said. “I tried to keep to myself and just stay focused. I’ve watched the Dallas Mavericks since I was little and have always admired the dancers. I can’t wait to be one of them. I am so thankful for my dance coach at Blinn, Sarah Barland, for always inspiring me and pushing me to become a better dancer. She’s been a blessing to me and my dance career.”
Barland said Webb was a great motivator, a hard worker and a beautiful dancer.
“She made practice fun, but also knew when it was time to work,” Barland said. “I had a great two years with Hayley and I know she’s going to make a wonderful Mavericks dancer.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 29 NJCAA national championships since 1987, including national championships in cheer and dance last season. For more information on Blinn dance, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
