Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the varsity kickline team participated in its first competition of the 2025-26 season. Lynbrook showed up and showed out in not just one, but two team categories, placing first for lyrical and second for team. The team members practiced for months, perfecting every move and counts of their routines. After performing during half-time at Hofstra University for the football team’s last playoff game, they focused primarily on cleaning their routines and preparing for the next competition. Coach Danielle Goodwin explained, “When lyrical placed first, we felt incredibly proud. It was a great feeling to watch the girls perform so confidently and see their hard work come together. Their strong performance and commitment made the result especially rewarding. Throughout the learning and rehearsal process, the girls faced several challenges. Some had to push through sickness, and we also had a very limited amount of practice time. Despite these obstacles, they remained focused, resilient, and supportive of one another. As their coaches, seeing them overcome these challenges and still perform at such a high level made the experience even more meaningful.”
The 2024-25 competition season ended in March, making kickline one of the longest running sports in Lynbrook spanning across three seasons. At the team’s final competition in 2025, the varsity members pulled out their first win for the season against tough competitors like Mepham and Northport varsity kickline. After ending the previous season on such a high, the girls came into this year’s competition determined to keep their winning streak alive.
Last school year, an additional team was created, known as the lyrical team. The team is composed of 12-15 girls who excel in dancing and compete in an additional dance at competitions. Last year, the team had 12 members, and this year the team has grown to 17, changing the team category from a medium to a large group. The girls found it stressful and challenging to learn the choreography for this year’s competition dance only three weeks before the competition, but the girls handled it seamlessly. As soon as the dancers stepped their feet on the floor, they killed it, with emotion on their faces, pointed feet, straightened legs, and not missing a beat. In the end, Lynbrook made it to the top and defeated Calhoun varsity kickline. Lynbrook came home with a new award to add to its collection: “Large Varsity Jazz II Winners.” Captain Julia Palay said, “After hearing the announcement that Lynbrook took first, I was so happy and proud! I haven’t experienced winning first place at our first competition with less than a month since we learned our lyrical choreography, so this was a very nice experience to have as a senior with this being my last year on kickline. As captain, I cannot thank my teammates enough for their motivation and drive to succeed together as a team. I am so grateful for everyone’s hard work, and I am so excited to see what the rest of this year brings at our next competitions. We will only keep getting better!”
After the lyrical team had performed and claimed its trophy, the rest of the varsity team and the middle school team had arrived at Nassau Community College ready to compete. The varsity team made its debut with its new routine to a remix of Micheal Jackson songs and brand-new rhinestone red and black costumes. The middle school team rocked the floor impressing everyone with its impeccable kick section and all-around entertaining dance to songs including “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé. While the middle school girls performed, the varsity team watched and cheered them on. Middle school coach Nicole DiBenedetto said, “The bonds and memories created through kickline at practices and competitions have kept the teams continuing to dominate routines and put on a show for the audience. The second award ceremony had finally arrived after the completion of both routines. The middle school team came home with first place, beating four other schools as the varsity team achieved second place. I was so excited when we found out that our middle school team won on Saturday. They’re such a hardworking bunch, and they blew us away with their performance. They had a ton of energy and were so clean throughout and we are so so proud of them.” DiBenedetto added, “The calendar this year [has] made it tricky to schedule choreography days and have enough time to really practice and clean the dance prior to comp. Multiple days off fell on a Tuesday, so we lost practices, and the North Middle School concert was this past Tuesday, so it’s been difficult to have a full practice. That said, they went [and] practiced at home, asked teammates and coaches for clarity on portions of the dance they weren’t sure of, and went out there and danced their little hearts out!”
As all the Lynbrook kickline teams resume practices for the next competitions in 2026, they hope to continue their winning streak.
