Dancing honour for Ayrshire teenager

Jan 1 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT WAS a fantastic 2009 for dance star Sophie Oliver.

And the 17-year-old ended the year by being named Champion of Champions.

It’s the second year in a row that Coylton girl Sophie has earned the crown.

It means she’s the best under-18 Highland dancer in Scotland.

She is also best in Britain, and is European champion into the bargain.

Sophie was third in the World Championships at the Cowal Games in August, just pipped by girls from Australia and New Zealand.

Sophie, who is studying at Ayr College to be a primary school teacher, will be 18 in April, 2010.

At that stage she will move into the adult grouping for Highland Dancing, taking on all-comers.

But Sophie is up for the challenge, and will remain a competition dancer, as well as taking dance teaching exams.

Her aim is to one day have her own dance school.