Stillwater resident named a member of the Thunder Girls

By David Bitton
Stillwater News Press
August 19, 2015

She has been shaking her hips and dancing to choreographed moves most of her life, and come this fall Addie Corley will be performing at Oklahoma City Thunder games as one of 19 Thunder Girls.

“I’m super excited to be cheering on the Thunder,” the 22-year-old lifelong Stillwater resident and Oklahoma State University Strategic Communications senior said.

The weeklong finals included interviews and dance rehearsals before the final audition.

“I was a nervous wreck,” Corley said. “I don’t think I slept for two weeks straight.”

Corley admits that the on-stage question-and-answer portion of the audition was the most challenging aspect. She remembers the question was something like, “If I made the team, what would I bring as a Thunder Girl,” but she doesn’t remember how she answered it.

“I got nervous,” she said.

Which makes it that much sweeter where her name was called on July 30.

She was one of seven rookies to make the 2015-16 Thunder Girls dance team.

“I had self confidence in my dancing,” said Corley, who has been twirling since she was 4-years-old. “I knew that if I danced how I’ve always danced, I’d feel okay.”

She attributes much of her success to Encore Dance Studios in Stillwater, where Corley has been both learning and teaching dance for many years.

“Addie is probably in the top three dancers I have ever taught,” said owner Holly Belford-Davis, who has been teaching dance for more than 30 years. “Her dedication, drive and hard work set her apart.”

Corley graduated from Stillwater High School in 2011, and cheered on the Pom Squad at Oklahoma State University for four years before auditioning for the Thunder Girls.

Paige Carter, dance team manager and choreographer for the Thunder Girls, is looking forward to having Corley on the team.

“I am excited to enter a new season with this outstanding group,” Carter said in a press release. “Thunder Girls engage with our fans on and off the court, and sometimes even across the globe. These ladies will add excitement and energy to the Thunder experience at Chesapeake Energy Arena, as well as being excellent community ambassadors.”

Right now, Corley is busy learning dance routines while practicing twice a week so she is ready when the Thunder take on the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 28.

“Oklahoma City Thunder fans are like no other fans,” Corley said. “They are amazing and I’m ready to meet them, talk with them and cheer on the Thunder with them.”