The Colorado Crush Girls had a great performance during a recent home game on March 16^th when the Crush took on the Arizona Rattlers. The Crush won the game 56-54 over the Rattlers. I was fortunate to be at the game to photograph the Colorado Crush‘s dance team.

The Crush Girls started by standing at the tunnel and cheering on the Crush team as they came out of the tunnel. There was a nice size crowd at the game with only a few empty seats at the top. After team introductions and the kick off the game was under way.

During the first time out of each quarter the Crush Girls would go out on the field to perform and energize the Pepsi Center crowd. I was still in the photographer’s row and didn’t meet up with the team yet. Their first dance performance was fun for me because I was the photographer for the Crush Girls tryouts last summer. The song they performed to was “Nothing but a Good Time” by Poison. I was at the tryouts for a few hours and that was the only song I heard. The same routine they taught the girls at the tryouts was the same one they performed during the first quarter of the Colorado Crush game.

After that performance I found Kristin Engler, the Crush Girls Director and Choreographer. I meet up with her in one of the side tunnels by the field. About six Crush Girls were with Kristin in the tunnel to dance and cheer for the team, while some go to the tunnel across the way, and some girls went up into the stands to dance and cheer. In talking with Kristin, she told me anytime the girls go out and perform on the field, for me to follow them and photograph them. So every time some or all of the girls went out on the field to perform, I sat up against the wall and shot their photos which can be seen on cheern.com

After each touchdown the six girls in the tunnel area by me would grab t-shirts and throw them out to the crowd. This was definitely a fan favorite because right after the touchdown the fans would yell through the tunnel at the Crush girls for a shirt. In speaking with Kristin during the game, she said this was the first home game that she was feeling more comfortable with the girls and their performances. She also said that sometimes it can get a little crazy behind the scenes. Now I am no expert in running a dance team, but I must say she was as cool as could be. To me she had everything running really smooth. All the girls respect her and follow her commands.

During the 4^th quarter, with around six minutes to go, Kristin sent some of the team up to the stands and asked me if I wanted to go. I was excited to shoot up in the stands where the girls are able to dance and interact with the fans. Kristin asked the girls not to lose me, and I followed them up to the stands. We had to go the back route and take a freight elevator up to the concourse area. We stayed up in the stands until there was about three minutes remaining in the game. We went back down to the tunnel area so the girls could get ready to run on the field for the big win.

After the Crush won, the girls went out and did a final dance to “Celebrate Good Times“. Confetti was raining down and everyone was cheering, that was a fun dance to photograph. After the last performance, the Crush girls went around the arena and signed autographs. The fans loved seeing the girls up close, getting t-shirts, calendars, and hats signed by their favorite dancers.

After I shot a few last photos of the autograph signing, I went to go say good-bye to Kristin and thank her for allowing me to photograph her dance team. She invited to come with her back to the Crush Girls locker room for cake. It was for one of the dance captain’s birthday celebration and I must say, it was some of the best cake ( vanilla cake with a raspberry like filling). The girls also signed a calendar for me and thanked me for the coverage.

I really had a great time covering the dance team. This was the second time that I have worked with Kristin and brought a little attention to her dance team. Each time she really goes above and beyond to make sure I am getting everything I need. She was always making sure I was getting the shots I needed, and was never to busy to answer any question that I had. I really appreciate the hospitality she gives me every time I come to cover her girls. I don’t think a lot of people understand what it takes to make a dance team happen, but during the game all of the hard work paid off.