Mob Squad Returns To Take On The Fusion

Hundreds of people packed Wexler-Grant School’s gymnasium to watch their favorite drill teams stomp their feet and succinctly move their arms to loud drum beats — as a renowned local team returned to take on newer challengers.

“We live for this day,” said John Waters, head captain and choreographer of winning team Fusion. ​“It’s Christmas for us.”

Six troupes from as far as New Jersey competed in the Freddie Fixer Annual Drill-O-Rama & Competition Saturday afternoon, a high-spirited tournament taking place a day before the big parade.

The judges said Mob Squad and Nation, both New Haven-based drill teams, were the ones to look out for. But in the end the Fusion team took home the biggest trophy. Nation did not compete.

Mob Squad, recognized by their purple and blue costumes, performed for the first time in eight years. After Tracey Menafee-Hie, one of the group’s leaders for 10 years, could no longer devote the time to practices and competitions, the group disbanded, she said. Many of the members joined Fusion drill team. After conflict within Fusion, former Mob Squad members re-launched their old group under a new name, ​“Mob Squad, New Generation.”

“I guess they weren’t getting along,” said Menafee-Hill, whose alliance is now with Fusion.

Mob Squad members were primed to make a comeback.

“It’s exciting,” said Taquea Landy, 24, of New Haven. Landy is a member of the original Mob Squad and now works with new group. ​“To see the smiles on their faces is rewarding.”

John Waters, 34, of Fusion was also a member of Mob Squad a decade ago and said it was ​“very weird” to see his old teammates competing against him, but he wished them well. He was more excited that his group won because it worked hard, he said.

Antania Hall, 11, a younger member of the Fusion Drill team, said she practiced every weekday for two months. ​“I caught on really fast.”

She said her favorite part of the routine was the ​“bump step,” a move that required her to sit in a squatted position and pump her arms and chest.

Most groups said it took them a month or two to prepare for Saturday’s event.

It took the Camden Sophisticated Sisters, who wore black shorts, white dress shirts, suspenders and decorative black tights, about a month and a half to prepare for the competition, said Aliyah Venable, whose 9‑year-old daughter Nadiyah Rudolph performed. They rehearsed Monday through Friday for two and a half hours each day, she said.

Members of the New Creation step team shouted about their practice during their performance. ​“I’ve got blisters on my hands and bruises on my feet,” they yelled. ​“We step all day. … We don’t get [a] break.”

Judges Shanice Johnson, Cynthia Provite and Steven Barnett evaluated the groups based on how well they could understand what they were saying, the crispness of their steps, their grooming, and confidence.

Choreographers of the drill teams also had to remember to incorporate a salute to the officer of the day in their performances to prevent point reductions.

Saturday’s officer was Major General Jean Nelson, a judicial marshal member of the Elks organization, who has served in this position for more than 20 years. ​“They can’t get on the floor unless they salute me,” she said.

Before the start of their routines, the steppers asked her for permission to perform on ​“her” floor. They also had to remember to ask her to leave the floor.

“Judge, may we have permission to stand on your floor?” members of the New Creation drill team asked while standing in a salute position.

“Permission granted,” Nelson said, relieving them of their salute.

“I live for these drill-o-ramas,” Nelson said.