Step team stomps into a new routine, season

Approaching the auditorium, soft pounding on the floor boards creates a steady beat made by the slapping, swaying and marching of feet.

Opening the doors, a scream comes from inside: ?Don?t do it!?

Oh yes, this is the unforgettable G-squad, Marshall?s one and only Step Team.

Unlike other Marshall sports teams, Step Team is one group that is definitely unique, but not nearly as well known. The group performed two shows for the school last year, combining African rhythms and beats to their own moves.

?I loved watching their performances last year; [they] made me want to think about joining because of the music and their energy,? sophomore Sejal Mody said.

Also separating the Step Team from other teams is the fact that they have no coach and come up with all the moves on their own.

 ?We make up all our own choreography and steps; it just kind of comes to us,? senior captain Janelle Kreykes said.

 ?We come together and do random dance moves after sitting and listening to music that we know we want to do a dance to,? junior member Sifon Inyang said.

The moves and dances that the Step Team uses originated in African tribal dances and have evolved over time through generations.

 Many moves also came from combinations of military drills, African foot dances and from the dances of popular R&B groups.

Many historically-black fraternities and sororities throughout United States college campuses also use stepping to celebrate the ?crossing-over? or arrival of new members.

Kreykes says, ?It is harder than people think it is, and at times people underestimate us but to people who say they have no rhythm, we tell them it?s more about finding your own rhythm.?

 Although Kreykes is currently captain, a year ago she had no dance experience. Kreykes was persuaded to join the team by a friend and advises newcomers that dance will ?come really easily once you get into it.?

The members also agreed that there are many benefits to stepping, including being able to vent anger and stress Kreykes said.

On a another note, Kreykes said that Step Team is not strict. ?I hate exercising but this is a fun way to do it,? she said.

?I found it to be a release from school, and a fun extra- curricular activity,? Inyang said.

Besides the physical benefits, the members are proud to get along really well.

?Last year we were really tight, we had sleep overs, shared breakfasts, baked cookies, and went shopping. We were friends outside of the team,? Inyang said.

Beyond the members, counselor Tanya Shuford has been the sponsor for the past two years. She said that her hopes for the future of the team are ?that anyone who thinks they can?t step, will give it a try and see their potential and that the team will be able to showcase their talents to the school.?

Although her job is mostly supervising the team, Shuford brings a variety of dance experience herself, including Dance Team, Step Team, ballet, flag core, baton and a range of West African dances.

Dance experience varies within the new and returning members. Kreykes started last year with no previous dance experience, though co-captain and senior Romina Gonzalez previously did Dance Team and Cheer.

Gonzalez said that ?the difference between dance and step is that [in step] you have to follow the beats, clap and stomp instead of just moving; it?s about making the beat not just moving to it.?

People often remember the Step Team for the motto ?Don?t do it!?

 ?It?s just a step we did, but people remember us for it, it means don?t mess with us and don?t mention the fact that you don?t know about the Marshall step team,? Inyang said.