Trending

Advertisement

Sabre Springs girl wins national dancing title

Share

Sabre Springs is home to a national champion — and though she’s only 12 years old, she’s already had seven years of experience in her sport.

Alison Ashworth recently became the country’s top Highland dancer her age after beating 18 for the top spot at the 2007 United States Inter-Regional Championships, held in Irvine.

The Meadowbrook Middle School eighth-grader started dancing when she was 5, following in the footsteps of her sister, Megan and of her mother, Pamela, who participated in the dance when younger.

Since she began, Alison has danced in New York, Washington and Oregon. She’s also performed on a boat, at a wedding and for a hospital fundraiser.

Alison said she remembers few details about the day she won the national title.

She added that when people asked her how she had done between competitions, she would answer, “all right,” and did not suspect she would come out on top.

“I never thought that I would win,” said Alison.

She said most of the questions she gets from those not acquainted with Highland dancing confuse it with Irish dancing.

She added that unlike Irish dancing, Highland dance moves require dancers to move their arms.

Highland dance competitions are comprised of four events: the fling, (a victory dance performed in a small area); the sword dance (performed between crossed swords); the seann triubhas (which translates to “old trouser” and looks like someone wriggling out of their pants); and the reel (a group dance in which participants are judged individually).

The Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing hands down the steps to be performed at competitions each year.

Dancers are judged according to their timing, technique and interpretation of the dance.

“It’s very physically and mentally demanding,” said Alison.

She noted that the fling routine for this year, for example, included 196 jumps. In sword dancing, she added, dancers have to make sure not only that they have all the right moves, but also that their feet don’t touch the blades crossed below them.

Alison practices her dance for about two hour each day, more as competitions get closer. Her instructor is Linda Armstrong of Carlsbad, who taught four of the five champions at this year’s competition. Alison also jumps rope and rides her bicycle to build up her endurance.

She said she enjoys the competition, even though it gets hot under the competition lights, especially with the wool kilt and velvet top she wears while dancing.

“I really enjoy it,” Alison said. “I like to be out on the stage dancing in front of a large audience.”

Pamela Ashworth said she believes her daughter has the right attitude toward the competition, stressing that all those who competed against Alison had her same dream.

Pamela Ashworth said that though their family is not predominantly Scottish — she’s one-quarter Scot — she took up the sport when she was learning Scottish Country Dancing years ago.

“I’m very happy I don’t have to compete with them,” she said of her daughters. “They’re way above my level.”

Alison said she’s already looking to next year’s national competition, which will be held in Denver.

Advertisement