Golden Girls captains Morgan Murphy (12) and Carolyn Grayson (12) have accomplished many things in their four years of GGs, including leading varsity to the team’s first-ever national title (small pom division). Although they are graduating from a champion team, both girls will be carrying on the legacy in college.

Murphy will major in biomedical engineering at the University of Mississippi and will dance as an Ole Miss Rebelette. She is one of five rookies on the 2019-2020 team, and will be joining 24 other dancers on the team.

To prepare for tryouts, Murphy attended four prep clinics in Mississippi, learned the tryout routine and fight song, and studied Ole Miss history for the interview portion of the tryout. Through three rounds of tryouts, Murphy completed a fitness test, interview, and performed five different routines. Eighty dancers tried out, and 25 made the final team.

“It was very stressful, but it was an honor to be competing for a spot against so many talented girls. It makes making the team so much more special,” said Murphy.

Normally performing at a crowd of a few hundred at Oakville football games, Murphy will be performing in front of crowds of 65,000 at Ole Miss, regarded by many as the number one game day school in college football.

“It’s an honor to cheer on the Rebs in such a huge game day school. I’m looking forward to performing with the band and wearing the Ole Miss uniform!,” said Murphy.

Grayson will major in clinical and diagnostic science at the University of Missouri Columbia and will dance as a Mizzou Golden Girl. She is joining 15 other dancers on the squad that will perform at women’s basketball games. She will also dance at home football games.

Grayson attended multiple prep camps to prepare for tryouts. She joined about 50 hopefuls and was one of 38 who advanced to the second round, where she was joined by the 22 members of last year’s squad. From the group of 60 in the final round, Grayson was one of 32 members to make the final team.

“The hardest part of the tryout was learning the choreography and retaining it when you perform in front of the judges,” Grayson said.

Grayson has already begun her work for Golden Girls, as each member is required to learn a certain number of routines independently before their first practice over the summer. She is looking forward to performing at football games and forming bonds with her teammates.

“Transitioning from high school to college can be challenging with meeting new people, but I know I can rely on my teammates to be great friends,” said Grayson.

Though the two will be attending separate colleges, they could get together again soon. This year, Mizzou’s homecoming football game will be against Ole Miss.

Murphy and Grayson will miss dancing and competing with the GG’s, but they are both looking forward to a bright future in college.

“I will miss the girls and Coach Kayla (Hall) the most, in addition to competing pom and wearing the gold dress!” Murphy said. “GGs has prepared me well for the future, and I am certain the team’s success will continue.”