From Bucs training camp: Captain Fear and Baranese
The line captains for the TBBC this year are Cori, Chelsea, Antasia and Kymberli. Today we will highlight Cori in our first installment of a four part series.
Cori is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she performed on the national acclaimed SunDolls dance team. After college she cheered and danced two years for the Tampa Bay Storm AFL team. Cori is starting her third season on the Buccaneers, her second as line captain. The Bucs went winless at home last year but Cori is highly optimistic of experiencing a successful 2015. Smile, dance, cheer (draft first) and the victories will come.
Cori is pursuing her MBA
Busch Gardens performer
“I like any Jazz dancing”
Favorite charity: Ronald McDonald House
Five Words: Spunky, Organized, Friendly, Passionate, Loyal
Would love to travel to Greece
Wedding Planner
#Itsabucslife
The attendance problems of the Rays are well documented but it’s not for lack of trying. The Tampa Bay Rays always field a competitive team and their fan promotions are second to none. This past weekend they beat the Red Sox in a “Turn Back The Clock” game including retro (but hideous) uniforms.
The Ray Team performers also went all in by finding outfits and music straight from the 1970’s. It always a good day when the Sox lose but the promotion added extra enjoyment to the game.
Good job to the Ray Team for a fun show.
Enjoy the following photos and album.
Rachel, Khrystle and Kiana
Eli
Ashlea
Zoe, Lacey, Brittany and Tyra
Eli, Lorenza, Zoe, Amanda, Brittany and Lacey
Ray Team
Ray Team
Valerie, Kiana, Khrystle, Lorenza, Rachel, Eli, Tyra
Belated congratulations out to the Chicago Blackhawk players and Ice Girls for their 3rd Stanley Cup victory in the last six years. Dynasty accomplishment. My hometown Lightning had a great season and I feel they announced to the NHL they will be a tough out over the next few years.
A secondary reward of following Tampa Bay in the 26 postseason games is that the Lightning Girls became more visible than ever because of all the away watch parties. What started with only 500 fans grew to 18,000 by game 6 of the Cup Finals. Compared to the other majors the NHL has a smaller, but more raucous, fan base. That base grew exponentially in Tampa this year. Success breeds more success, amazing journey, great memories.
After the final game I cornered third year Lightning Girl Captain, Allison, and asked for her reflections on this miracle run season:
Allison, can you run me through the last 12 months?
Allison: “In 2014 when we got swept by the Canadians I was so disappointed, but I knew that the Bolts would get revenge. It is still surreal to me that we made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. It was such an honor to be Captain of the 2014-2015 Lightning Girls team. When I first made the team 3 years ago, I never would have thought that I would get to experience this great season. It is truly a dream come true and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Is being a Lightning Girl more than cheering on game days?
Allison: “Being a Tampa Bay Lightning Girl is so much more than just dancing at the games with pom-poms. One of my favorite parts about being a Lightning Girl is the one-on-one interaction we have with our fans. We are constantly out in the community representing the Lightning Organization and interacting with people. It’s so much fun to be able to meet and form a relationship with so many incredible individuals throughout the season. Meeting with the young kids is my favorite. It’s really an amazing feeling to know that you are a role model to someone.”
Tell the UC readers about the watch parties.
Allison: “Our Watch Parties during playoffs were insane!!! It really encouraged the community to come together and support our Bolts. We had THOUSANDS of fans come out to our watch parties. It allowed our fan base to grow, which is great!”
Will we get to see you for another season?
Allison: “Sadly, this was my last season as a Lightning Girl. The Lightning Organization has been such a huge part of my life for 3 years and I am heartbroken that this is the end. However, I have some very exciting things happening in my life. In a few months I will be moving to London for 10 months to study abroad at Middlesex University. Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine so I am very excited to start this new chapter of my life.”
I always saw your family at the games!
Allison: “Throughout my 3 years as a Lightning Girl, my family has always been so supportive. They were at every single game supporting the Bolts and watching me. My 6 year old niece, Kenna, would come as well and dance with us. She had her own pair of matching pom-poms and a Lightning cheerleader outfit. I am so thankful that I was able to share this experience with my family and my niece.”
Congratulations from UC to the Lightning Girls and the entire Lightning organization for a great season. I added some 60 photos to our Lightning Girls playoffs album–enjoy.
Allison and her 6 year niece Kenna.
Allison’s final game.
Allison
Allison
Allison
Allison, Isabella, Alyssa and Stefania
Captains Allison and Heather
Teammates Erica and Alyssa
[Lightning Girls Playoffs Gallery]
Congrats to Lightning Girl Kelsey on making the Buccaneer Cheerleaders
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have opened their lockbox this week to unveil the members of the 2015 cheerleaders. Check out the Buc’s web site for the introductions. We did manage to capture a few photos of the squad doing promotional work around Tampa–enjoy:
Rookie Gabryele and returning line captain Cori
Rookies Brooke and Julia
Rookies Alex and Michelle
Returning veterans, Kymberli, Stephanie, Megan and Ingrid
Veteran Tessa
Baranese, Ingrid and Kymberli at the draft day party.
[Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders]
In between the Lightning games I took advantage to visit the Tampa Bay Storm over the Memorial Day weekend. The theme of the game against the Philadelphia Soul was “Salute to Military”. The Storm took a beating but my attention for the night was on the talented dancing cheerleaders.
The 2015 squad has thirteen members including 5 rookies. Returning veterans Jalyssa and Philippa are Co Captains this year and Jalyssa was the Arena Bowl representative in 2014.
Our thanks to Director Kindra Stocher and choreographer Stephanie (Arena Bowl 2013) for the hospitality to allow Ultimate Cheerleaders the chance to cover these attractive performers. The Storm web site has nice bio descriptions for each member, check it out. Arena football is great fan friendly inexpensive entertainment, try and get out to a game.
Enjoy the photos:
Megan
Salina
Cristina
Tyanne
Kayla
Allison
Tyanne and Shaniqua
Jalyssa (Captain)
Le’Dreauna, Shaniqua, Jalyssa and Lexxie
[Tampa Bay Storm Cheerleaders]
The Lightning Girls, along with the players of course, have advanced to the NHL Final Four by giving the Canadians a revenge beating. This is my quote from last year’s playoff elimination loss to Montreal:
“Comprenez-vous? No, I don’t understand how the Lightning’s great 101 points season could end up in a playoff sweep loss to the Les Habitants! It’s all french to me. BUT, wait until next year, the foundation is set.” Wow, what a prognosticator!!!!
The next opponent is the Blue Shirts from Broadway. Unless the Rangers borrow the Knickerbocker’s City Dancers this Cheer competition is the Lightning’s by default.
March on to the Stanley Cup.
We added many photos to our playoff album, enjoy.
Alexis
Rachael and Heather
Taelor, Kelly and Alyssa
Cher
Alyssa
Allison
Erica
Allison, Megan, Isabella, Alexis, Rachael, Heather, Alyssa and Kori
The Rays have updated the names and photos of their interactive co-ed entertainment squad. We added some pictures from Saturday’s game versus the Texans to our Rays album. Enjoy.
Brittany
Rachel with sisters Khrystle and Kiana
Clockwise from left–Loki, Sleepy, Mario and Mouse
Carleigh-Tyra-Eli-Rachel-Brittany
Amanda-Lorenza-Khrystle-Kiana
Rachel
Raymond
My co-conspirator David Tyau and I both traveled to Miami to cover the final day of the Dolphins grueling and dueling 2015 MDC audition selection process. Yes it takes two of us to cover that many beautiful and talented candidates in South Florida. Hopefully you saw David’s articulate write up and album on Friday, now it’s my turn to highlight these impressive young ladies as they join a very select sorority club.
The pyramid was extra tight this year as the squad is now 36 women compared to 44 in prior years. The ongoing stadium renovations probably stole some cheerleader field space.
Special kudos out to Jamie Quadrozzi, Ariana Aubert, and Ariann Denison for the fine work in organizing and presenting this great showcase. The choreography work by Brooke (Sorenson) Nix was excellent. Thanks to the MDC for the invitation to cover this very enjoyable peek into the inner workings of the annual showdown of candidates. Looking forward to opening night in August when the ladies lace up the boots. Fins Up.
Enjoy the photos in the attached album.
Alison
Jodi
Raquel
Macy
Brooke
Jessica
Monica
Bobbie Jean–Rookie
Paige B.–Rookie
