Last Wednesday Texas A&M Corpus-Christi had a 75-71 win over Northwestern State in the Southland tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Islanders started 4-3 in conference play but won 12 of their final 13 games to earn the school’s 2nd straight NCAA tourney bid. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Texas A&M Corpus-Christi dance team member Amaris Martinez Guedry about her book recommendations.
You are from Midland, TX: what made you choose Texas A&M Corpus-Christi? My mom went to school here and when I was in high school I did not know where I wanted to go. As soon as I took a tour I knew that it would be the only school I applied to, and I love it!
You are an English major with a minor in Dance: how did you choose those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I have always been interested in English: I love to read and am interested in grammar. I also wanted to expand my dance expertise. There are a lot of ways that I could go: I could try the dance world or audition for a company or just use my degree.
You have been dancing for most of your life: how did you 1st get into it, and what is the best part? When I was 4 years old my mom put me in cheer, then I got into gymnastics at age 5, and at age 6 my mom asked me if I wanted to do ballet so that is how it started. You never stop growing and there is always something that you can get better at. I can still take a class now on campus and learn something new.
You are a co-captain this year: what is the key to being a good leader? You should be someone who does not pull from the front but rather pushes from behind. We constantly check on everyone to make sure they have what they need and pay attention to every little detail.
What has been your favorite moment so far this season: your 8-game winning streak in January/February, winning the regular season finale in OT, Senior Night, other? My favorite game was homecoming because there were so many people in attendance. I love when we have a big crowd because it gets everyone going.
1 of your hobbies is reading: what is the best book you have read recently? Can I recommend 3?! “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy, “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner, and “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Saenz.
Last Wednesday in the Southland tourney title game your team had a 4-PT win over Northwestern State: what has the reaction been like since you returned to campus? I have not been back to campus yet but the reaction has been exploding all over social media because everyone is so excited.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? It will be the same group of girls who went to the conference tourney. We had to audition for our coach with 3 routines and I made the list. It will be so much more meaningful since we have already done it. The other captain and myself have been leading the girls all year.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for the NCAA tourney? We have a really good routine that everyone enjoys because it is 1 of our best. We will bring a different type of energy and yell like we have never yelled before.
Any predictions for the Islanders next week? I do not have any specific predictions prior to Selection Sunday but I know that our boys will go out and do the best that they can on the court.