As the lights went down on the Texas Highsteppers team on the first Friday night at halftime, many spectators observed that the team shrunk tremendously in comparison to last year’s team.
The Texas HighSteppers team went through a ton of change throughout the past few years. Last year, 15 seniors graduated, and filling those empty spaces proved to be a difficult task. As football season approaches, the Texas HighSteppers prepare for hours on end, perfecting fan-favorite routines and choreography. However, the 2025-2026 season presents a decrease in team size compared to previous years.
The decrease in the size of the team in comparison to previous year caused a large strain on formations, and the team worked for hours trying to fill these gaps. With only a few weeks to refine these complications, line members and directors work tirelessly to adapt to a smaller team.
“I was unsure about the small team at first, but it’s actually not that bad,” senior lieutenant Emma Gravier said. “With a smaller team, it allows everyone to fully connect with [each other] on the team. It also allows for the team as a whole to grow and develop our dancing skills.”
Team leadership feels similarly, but notes their enjoyment despite the changes. They also acknowledge their hopefulness in the team’s future.
“I’ve been enjoying it, [even though] we might not take up as much space on the gym floor or football field,” drill team director Amber Reynolds said. “I think this group has a lot of promise and is working just as hard as every other team I’ve had.”
Due to the fact that the team shrunk in numbers this year, members took the opportunity to bond with one another as a cohesive group.
“I think the changes in the size of the team have been great,” junior lieutenant Laney Russ said. “We have all gotten so close really fast and work very well together.”
Although most team members see this change as a positive addition, senior captain Meredith McPhaul acknowledges the challenges that present themselves on the leadership side of things.
“I have mixed feelings about our team’s drastic change in size. I think that it’s going to be very nice to work on technique with a smaller team because we can focus on details and make bigger improvements,” McPhaul said. “A lot of our stronger dancers graduated out last year, so we are definitely missing them, [but] I also think that having a small team will allow us to grow closer together as a group. On the other hand, I love the look of a large team on the field and when we compete. ”
Overall, this change proved to be one that, although difficult at first, appears to be one that will be worthwhile and efficient to team productivity for the years to come.
“I enjoy working with a smaller group,” sophomore Naila Sandoval said. “It’s easier for everyone to focus and more space for us to dance full out.
