It’s a debate I will hear at least a couple of times a year. The question as to why competitive dancing is not considered a sport, per se. A Grade 12 student at St Charles College, pre-competitive dancer for a number of years and veteran of Cardinals athletic teams, Hollie Kehoe offers an interesting perspective.

“I guess people don’t think of dancing as a sport, but it’s a huge workout. There is so much cardio involved with it – when you’re up there dancing for two minutes straight, it’s hard work and you’re always pushing”, she says.

Of course, with a sporting background that also includes forays into track & field, soccer, basketball, badminton, swimming and her role as a key component to the Cardinals success in girls volleyball over the past few years, it comes as little surprise that Kehoe enjoys remaining active.

The middle of three children (she has both a younger and older brother), Hollie Kehoe attended St. John’s Elementary School in Garson, getting her first exposure to school sports. And while the tradition of athletics at St Charles College did not weigh in to her decision to attend the school, she soon found out the world of difference that exists between the elementary and secondary sports scenes.

“At St. John’s, we grew up with everyone that we were playing with. Then you come here and you meet so many different people. It’s much more intense at high-school, playing in a bigger gym, a different atmosphere”, she explains.

Still, the native of Skead carried forward many wonderful memories from her time spent at St. John’s, a general enjoyment that stays with her through the years. “We were not a huge school and we didn’t win that many games. But when we did win a tournament, it was such a huge deal and we would just get so excited.”

Balancing the variety of sports that she has enjoyed over the years, Kehoe notes that it’s definitely volleyball that ranks first, although she will admit that her dancing talents likely surpass her on court prowess. Yet, as she prepares to take the stage in each of these venues, there is a markedly contrasting approach.

“I don’t get nervous dancing on a stage. Maybe if I was up there by myself, I probably would. But in volleyball, I get super nervous. It’s such a team sport, and you don’t want to let anyone down”, she notes.

The transition from St John’s to St Charles has been relatively seamless for this well-spoken teen, a notable testament to the people she has met in both academic surroundings. “It’s just so easy to get along here with everyone…it’s a very comfortable atmosphere.”

Come September, Hollie Kehoe will leave behind her Cardinal memories, moving on to the next chapter as she attends Laurentian University studying Concurrent Education. While she hopes to remain active, she knows that her volleyball career will likely be limited to playing on a women’s team, just for fun, just to keep up with the sport – and maybe come back and help coach.

That would be music to the ears of current coaches. No surprise for this athlete with the dancing background.
 

Hollie Kehoe, Volleyball
 

“I don’t get nervous dancing on a stage. Maybe if I was up there by myself, I probably would. But in volleyball, I get super nervous. It’s such a team sport, and you don’t want to let anyone down”
 

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