“ I don’ t really want to leave the cheer environment because I feel like it’ s been my life,” Barker said.“ I do have plans to be an RN, but I do see myself coaching a team in the future.”
Let’ s Dance Similarly to cheer, competitive dancing started in 1907 with the first tango competition taking place in Nice, France, stated USA Dance, Inc. Later Paris, Berlin and London followed suit with international ballroom competitions that continue today.
Dancing is something that Brittnay Payton has competed in since she was 3 and never stopped doing it. Her mother got her into the sport and she fell in love with it. Now, at 34 she no longer competes but coaches Floyd Central High School team, the Floyd Central Dazzlers
When she was in middle school, she wanted to live in Los Angeles and get signed by an agency so she could audition to be a back up dancer.
Payton’ s love of the sport led her to compete all over the country and even out of the country to Japan to judge a competition.
“ The one thing that makes me come back is that I genuinely, truly loved doing it,” Payton said.“ There would be times when my mom would even say‘ Are you sure? You don’ t have to do it you know.’ And I would beg to do more.”
During high school, Payton would skip out going to basketball and football games that all her friends were going to because she was at the dance studio. She would spend six to seven days a week dancing because she loved it.
“ I grew up around Speedway, Indiana, I would say it definitely kept me out of trouble and kept me on the right track,” she said.
She had a genuine passion for the sport and she loved the culture behind the sport. The people at her studio became like a second family to her.
Throughout her time dancing, she has won five national championships while she was on the Lady Birds, U of L’ s dance team, won high school
Payton is competing in a dance competition. During her time as a dancer, she has won five national championships while she was on the Lady Birds, U of L’ s dance team and more.
coach of the year from the National Dance Team Coaches Association and led The Dazzlers to win three national championships in a row.
After college, she got into coaching. Payton said that it came to naturally to her and she was done dancing her last year as a Lady Bird.
“ I was so passionate and just wanted to focus all my time into coaching and seeing the growth of my dancers,” she added.“ Not just in their skills, but in their confidence, leadership, character, all those things and watching them set goals, push past their limits is just something that I am ridiculously passionate about.”
After spending years as a dancer and coach, Payton says that she has enjoyed her time more as a coach than as a dancer.
“ Coach is one of the most selfless jobs that you can do,” she said.“ It’ s not about me. It’ s about the kids. I think for me personally, it’ s more way rewarding for me to see other people succeed and overcome any obstacles, see all the hard work and dedication pay off.”
MAY / JUNE 2025 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 13