Heidi Koger and her Pacer teammates. (Photos courtesy of Heidi Koger)

Q: What is one of your favorite Pacer memories?

A: I always enjoyed our competition camps in the summer. During summer of my Senior Year, we won our State competition and went on to compete Nationally in Orlando that following January through Universal Dance Association. Another great memory was individually being nominated for UDA All-American, which gave me the opportunity to Dance as part of the half-time show during the Citrus Bowl!

Q: Do you still keep in touch with any of your former teammates?

A: I keep in touch with a lot of Pacers! Even after all this time, we still connect via social media and whenever we are in the same town. It’s been fun to see everyone graduate college, get married, have children, and complain about how we can do splits like we used to. 

Q: What was one of your favorite routines to perform?

A: Oh wow, there were too many to pick just one! I really liked our Football Season High Kick Routines and Pom Routines. Most people do not realize the skill, endurance and practice it takes to perform those dances. And back then, Watauga played football at ASU’s stadium, so we got to perform on a college-level field.

Q: How were the Pacers perceived by the student body? 

A: I never really considered that. However, our end of year show was always packed with support from our friends, and people always had kind things to say about our routines. I’m sure there were those that weren’t so supportive, but I never gave that much attention.

Q: What years were you a Pacer and who was your coach?

A: I was a Pacer from 1994-1998, a Pacer Officer 1995-1997 and Captain 1997-1998. I was coached by the one and only Betty Cox. We did get other coaches in my last two years, but Betty will always be forever in my mind because she was tough but great. Later on, Erica Slate and Hailey Greene became our Coaches.