This week’s Athlete of the Week is Crookston Pirate Dancer Calleigh Fanfulik. The junior is a team captain and has been dancing from a young age while improving year after year. “I’ve been able to watch her dance for a long time and her work ethic has been incredible,” said Pirates Dance coach Grace Espinoza. “She is a completely different kid from when she first started. She is in the weight room all the time, she is always motivating and getting everyone pumped up, and she treats every teammate equally which is something I really appreciate.”
The Pirate dancers as a team have started to grow as well, constantly improving so far this season with their most recent performance resulting in a 3rd place finish at the Detroit Lakes invitational on December 10. “I think it would be cool to keep placing and moving up,” said Fanfulik. “I think the most important thing is that we just keep getting better as a team.”
Fanfulik also plays tennis for the High School and participates in LEO Club. The Pirate dancers will next compete in the new year on January 5 in Bagley for a Varsity Jazz.
First started competing in dance – I first started dancing when I was 4, and in sixth grade I started competing.
What is your favorite competition to compete in – Kick
What competition do you want to improve on – Jazz
Do you have a pre-meet ritual – Just listen to music
Most memorable dancing moment – Winning third place last year at DGF for the first time in 21 years.
Favorite sport – Dance
Favorite sports team – I enjoy watching any kind of basketball
Favorite Athlete – Serena Williams
Favorite Movie – The Notebook
Favorite TV show – Outer Banks
Favorite food – Macaroni
What music are you listening to – Taylor Swift
You’re stranded on a deserted island, and you can have ANY three people with you – My younger sister Teagan, Emma Gunderson, and Morgyn Larson.
Plans after graduation – Not sure, but would possibly dance in college if the opportunity presented itself.
Family –
Dad – Chad (Polk County Highway Department)
Mom – Mindy (Business Office Manager at Villa St. Vincent)
Sisters – Teagan (Eighth-grader)
