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Following Cougarette Madi Cenname: Finding strength in a new role

Senior captain Madi Cenname has a four-year history with the nationally recognized BYU Cougarettes.

In 2020, when COVID forced her away from dancing in New York City, Cenname found herself auditioning for the Cougarettes performing team. She knew that even if one door had been closed, another was opened when she made the team with four other freshmen.

She completed her first year on the team with a national title and a hunger for more of the experiences this team had given her. She found herself re-auditioning for the Cougarettes again, and again, and again and again.

Madison Bay Cougarettes
Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU

Now, with four full years under her belt, Cenname has helped the team accumulate seven additional national titles and two gold medals. She has performed at over 20 football games, four week-long concerts and a plethora of basketball performances.

It is safe to say that she is a non-negotiable asset to her team.

Cenname auditioned for a fifth season this April, and was welcomed onto the team for her final year.

Mere weeks later, she found out she needed major hip surgery. Cenname was devastated.

“I started to feel pain during nationals season,” she said.

Cenname described how many times throughout the years, every teammate goes through their own injuries, big or small. She had perceived her hip pain and a “small thing,” and pushed through the pain to finish out the season strong. But after auditions for the next year, her hip pain became too intense to ignore.

Cenname took some time off during the summer in hopes time would help heal her discomfort. When she returned to dance, she noticed more difficulty moving her hip.

“After a month of nothing … I started dancing again during the summer and I realized I lost majority of my mobility in my hip,” said Cenname.

Cenname headed to the doctor's office for X-rays and an MRI and received her diagnosis. She had a hip impingement and a torn labrum. The doctor suggested surgery and a six-to-nine-month recovery with physical therapy.

“I just remember feeling like I had to do it now,” said Cenname.

She felt hopeless; especially when the doctors informed her that surgery was scheduled the next week, and the recovery time was six to eight months. She wouldn’t be able to dance until February, eliminating her chances of participating in any activities until then.

As football season came and went, she kept herself at the front of the rehearsal room, helping where and when she could, but ultimately watching. She spends most of her time in practice assisting the coaches, doing her PT and encouraging her teammates.

As she watched, Cenname started to ask herself, “Should I have even done this?” or “What kind of teammate am I?”

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She mentioned that the hardest part of this trial is having to show up everyday with a smile on her face. Most days she said she struggles with the reality of her injury, but “puts on a face” and leads the best she can.

Cenname prioritizes her role as dance captain and ensures that she executes her role the best she can. Her teammates have noticed this and adore her for it.

“Despite her injury, Madi has continued to be a valuable asset to the team. … She comes to practice everyday with a positive attitude and continues to encourage her teammates every step of the way. … We wouldn’t be complete without her,” said teammate Brynlee Ruoti.

“Madi is our biggest cheerleader,” said teammate Halle Larsen.

Madison Bay Cougarettes

Cenname has put all her efforts into healing, and making the most of her last year on the team. She has been diligent about her physical therapy and is ahead of schedule in her healing. So far ahead, that she was even cleared to dance a short routine at the last home football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium a few weeks ago. Something she wasn't expecting to be able to do for the last time.

Cenname's official clear date to dance again is Jan. 10 and plans on participating fully in the Cougarettes in Concert shows later this year, as well as any other performance opportunities that arise for her team.

Though progress is slow and steady, Cenname said she has been able to learn a lot from her new perspective on the team. She mentioned that through this trial she has been able to nurture her gifts of leadership and strengthen her spiritual gifts as well.

“I have learned and realized that I'm so much more than just a dancer,” said Cenname.