Senior Spotlight: Bruss leads by example in final dance squad campaign

Though the dance season has been limited, senior Breelyn Bruss is making the most of her final year on the team. Dance was hit hard by the precautions put in place during COVID-19 due to the nature of the sport, with many dancing at a time and through interactive routines. Dance coach Mackenzie Wissink has enjoyed the opportunity to coach Bruss on the squad.

“Breelyn is an incredibly hard worker, and is a leader on our team,” Wissink said. “As coaches, we can always count on Breelyn.”

Bruss’ teammates have enjoyed dancing alongside her. She joined the team halfway through her sophomore year because the team needed more dancers. The girls embraced her as she worked tirelessly right away.

“Not only did she learn an entire routine in one day, but she transformed as a dancer and became such an important member on our team,” senior teammate Baylee Cottrell said. 

Bruss leads by example, and her presence on the dance floor is achieved through hard work.

“Breelyn's greatest strength as a dancer is her persistence and perseverance,” Cottrell said. “She shows up to practice each and every day with a smile on her face and she continues to grow with each performance and competition. Our team has experienced some very hard times and she persevered through them all.”

Cottrell recalls her favorite memory with Bruss, a dance party after the team's Little Chute competition last year.

“A team favorite ‘Cotton Eyed Joe’ played and Breelyn was elbowed in the nose by a fellow team member,” she says. “Blood came out of her nose and my coach caught the whole thing on tape. The best part was that my coach didn't see or hear Breelyn because the music was too loud and she continued taking funny videos of our team for several minutes. Finally she noticed and rushed Breelyn to the bathroom. Our coach is a nurse so she was in very good hands.”

Wissink has been impressed with Bruss’ ability to take on any challenge and how her presence during performances exhibits natural talent. 

“There is something about the way Breelyn carries herself as a dancer, that simply can't be taught,” she said. “She also has this drive and motivation that allows her to continue to grow and improve. Breelyn can be given a difficult skill that she can't do, but within a few weeks, she will be demonstrating the skill with ease. ”

Wissink also appreciates how Bruss utilizes the advice she gives while also encouraging her teammates to do the same. 

“She's successful in that way because she takes all the coaching and applies it along with her motivation,” Wissink said. “Breelyn's biggest improvement since joining the team has been her ability to lead by example. I think it's safe to say the team looks up to her as a dancer and a person.”

For Bruss, dance is an outlet, something that she has always loved. Her dance years at West will always be cherished memories.

“Dance team is a home away from home,” she said. “I've had the privilege to form close friendships with the girls and it truly is a second family to me. Everyone on the team supports one another and we all share a common love for one of the most underrated sports, especially at West.”

Despite the precautions from COVID-19, Wissink urges her senior dancers to remember the passion they have for dance and make the most of their final season.

“For Breelyn, and the rest of our seniors, we want them to have an amazing season,” she said. “This season is unlike any other dance season and they've missed a lot of their favorite moments. I want our seniors to leave feeling proud of their senior year of dance, their teammates, and themselves.”

As her season begins, Bruss wants to thank her coaches for everything they have done for her. 

“My coaches, Morgan Boyce and Mackenzie Wissink, have been two of the biggest role models in my life,” she said. “Not only have they dedicated their time outside of their busy schedules to share their passion for dance with the team, but they've created such a welcoming environment for us girls.”

Bruss hopes to display all her hard work on the dance floor one last time, and the pandemic won’t stop her.

“Despite these changes and obstacles, in my final year of dancing, I want to showcase the blood, sweat, and tears that I have put into this sport since day one,” she said. “I have no regrets as I perform competitively for the last time at our regionals competition.

By Drew Lasky

February 26, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Issue 5 Volume 117