Interviews: Steve Lucas Photography

I got a chance to sit down this season with Steve Lucas from Lucas photography, and we talked about his amazing ability to capture dance action shots.  If you haven’t seen some of the posters and individual dance work that Steve has done, you need to head on over to his website and check it out.  He has an amazing library of dance themed shots in the "portfolios" section.  Steve did some great shots for me and the website while I was there and we talked about capturing the best in dancers.  

Erin: So, I always assumed you had girls use a trampoline to do those amazing jumps, is that true?

Steve: No, not at all.  Those girls really do look like that, but the key is to capture them in the right moment, at the very peak of that jump.  Most of the time they didn’t even know they could do that themselves.

Erin: How do you know the perfect moment to snap them?

Steve: Well, I like to watch their hair and look for the best movement there so that is doing something interesting and dramatic during that moment.  Having a coach there to count beats for them is also a good idea when doing a whole team.   

Erin: Ah, yes.  I think that's what sets your photos apart so much, that hair!  You really see the motion, the muscles of every subject.  You really see them as both artists and athletes.  Not just one or the other.  

Erin:  I like the shots with the scarves in your dance portfolio.  Are props a good idea for action shots?

Steve: Sure, those scarves were a great addition to the movement we were capturing.  Just about anything can be worked in, including furniture and chairs.  White backgrounds are popular, but not the only option.

Erin: So you do senior portraits as well?  Can dancers get some action dance shots and senior portraits done? 

Steve: We have a wide array of options to fit your needs – outdoor, indoor, seniors, dance, whole teams, posters, composite photos, and just about any combination for individuals and teams.  

It’s not too late this season to get in to see Steve’s fabulous studio (while you’re still in awesome dance shape) and get some photos done for graduation party displays, dance team memory videos, or to start looking ahead to next year’s team shots or senior photo sessions.  Steve is conveniently located in Eden Prairie and well worth the drive.  His ability to capture you at your best really stands out in his work.  I loved the photos he did for me, be sure to check out the composite idea with matching background and text.  Steve also does all the catalog shoots for The Line Up and the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader calendar, so head over and take a peek at those too!  If you’re interested in doing something for your team or for yourself – check out Lucasphoto’s website or email Info@LucasPhoto.com  Thanks Steve for your beautiful dance team photos!   

Dance Team Saves Baby’s Life Before State Routine « CBS Minnesota#.T0XLEfmrleE.facebook#.T0XLEfmrleE.facebook#.T0XLEfmrleE.facebook

A great story about our teams from Fridley and Zumbrota coming together to save a life at the state tournament. Amazing.

Dance Team Saves Baby’s Life Before State Routine « CBS Minnesota#.T0XLEfmrleE.facebook#.T0XLEfmrleE.facebook#.T0XLEfmrleE.facebook

State Wrap-Up & Final Results 2012

Well I hope you’re all recovering from this exciting state weekend – this one will be one for the record books!  The major headline must be that we now have 2 double blue winners in class A and AA, leaving us with only 4 teams as state champions this year.  Aitkin, Chaska, Wayzata, and Eastview all took home the championships, but there were many more highlights from the big dance.  Lets take a look at some of the best moments:

Friday, February 17^th - Jazz:

Class A: The big story here was if 5 time defending state champion Duluth Marshall would pull it off again, but the glory this time went to the Aitkin All-Starz.  The Aitkin girls really needed a solid performance in finals to get the win, and they managed to clean up their turns and pull it all off in the end.  Duluth brought in a great performance with such a young group as I’m hearing they’re fielding, while YME was a solid group for 3^rd with their touching dance to “Footsteps in the Sand” which was well executed but easier than the top 2.  Lac Qui Parle Valley was exciting to watch make their debut, which was good enough to land them in finals first time out of the gate.  Their jazz program has only been in existence for 2 years, so that’s not a small feat. 

Class AA: The big names were back in the finals this year with teams from Benilde, Totino, St. Cloud Cathedral and Sartell making appearances again.  Benilde looked the best of that pack with a small but refreshing change in style from the previous year that put them in 2^nd place.  Newcomer to AA Chaska made a splash by claiming the title with their routine “I am lost”.  They just don’t look like anyone else and seem to be setting the trends these days for music, style, and costume.  I imagine we’ll see them inspire more dances for next year.  The team from Marshall managed to make a first ever appearance in finals, a big step forward for that program.  Totino Grace rounded out the medalists claiming 3^rd.

Class AAA: Wayzata claimed the top spot back again from Maple Grove this year who settled for second.  Wayzata always manages to bring something to the state floor that I just don’t see them do all year long that really stepped up their game and sold their dance to the whole audience.  It really felt like the whole stadium was behind them this year.  It also seemed that the whole pack of finalists were really top notch this year and worthy of medals.  Squads from St. Cloud Tech, Eden Prairie, and Spring Lake Park were all in the hunt along with Maple Grove and Eastview who took 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.  

Saturday, February 18^th – Kick:

Class A: Aitkin claimed its second title of the weekend in kick, sending Cannon Falls into 2^nd and YME moved up from last year into 3^rd.  YME was much improved in their kick height and technique from the past and was looking more like they were when they won the A division in 2008.  Even so, Cannon Falls and Aitkin had stepped it up again with big teams bringing the visuals and kicks to a new level, keeping the fight for the top 2 between themselves for a 4^th consecutive year.  Lake City was another team to watch for as they moved from 6^th to 4^th in the final round, a team best for the Tigers.  

Class AA:  Chaska also repeated their previous night’s performance, claiming their first kick title since 1999.  Sartell was not going away quietly though and gave the biggest fight from a second place team of the entire tournament.  The Sabers do everything big and certainly showed that they are here to stay on the top of the AA pack.  St. Cloud Cathedral also brought a little something extra to the finals round; enough to push them solidly into the 3^rd place spot after all was said and done.  This division had the most depth this year, with many teams worthy of finals not getting into that top 6.  

Class AAA: This division was fought tooth and nail, requiring a tie breaker to get Eastview out on top.  Eden Prairie had to settle for 2^nd, while Brainerd made a splash with the most difficult kicks in the state taking them into the #3.  Apple Valley was surging at the end of the year, but there just wasn’t room for them on the podium and they took an honorable 4^th.  This class was full of memorable dances this year, with over the top themes and use of costumes to complete the look.  Eastview’s lightup skirts will likely be a topic of state conversations for years to come. 

Overall this year was exciting, memorable, and hard fought all the way to the end with the AA/AAA kick finals being an especially intense showcase of all that Minnesota dance team is about.  It was an honor to be a part of your state experience.  Congratulations to all the teams, I hope you met your goals and built memories to last a lifetime.  We’ll see you next season for more dance team action, excitement, drama, and passion!  

Final  Results:

JAZZ

Class A:

1. Aitkin

2. Duluth Marshall

3. Yellow Medicine East

4. Frazee

5. Cannon Falls

6. Lac Qui Parle Valley/D-B

7. Mayer Lutheran

8. Crosby-Ironton

9. Zumbrota-Mazeppa

10. St. Charles

11. Pelican Rapids

12. Renville County West

Class AA:

1. Chaska

2. Benilde-St. Margaret's

3. Totino-Grace

4. St. Cloud Cathedral

5. Sartell-St. Stephen

6. Marshall

7. Mound-Westonka

8. Simley

9. Holy Family Catholic

10. Sauk Rapids-Rice

11. Fridley

12. Duluth Denfeld

Class AAA:

1. Wayzata

2. Maple Grove

3. Eastview

4. Eden Prairie

5. St. Cloud Tech

6. Spring Lake Park

7. Blaine

8. Brainerd

9. Lakeville North

10. Burnsville

11. Eagan

12. Centennial

HIGH KICK

Class A:

1. Aitkin

2. Cannon Falls

3. Yellow Medicine East

4. Lake City

5. Lac Qui Parle Valley/D-B

6. Duluth Marshall

7. Pelican Rapids

8. Crosby-Ironton

9. Bagley

10. Mayer Lutheran

11. Dover-Eyota

12. BOLD

Class AA:

1. Chaska

2. Sartell-St. Stephen

3. St. Cloud Cathedral

4. Totino-Grace

5. Faribault

6. Austin

7. Marshall

8. Sauk Rapids-Rice

9. Hutchinson

10. Fridley

11. Waconia

12. Hill-Murray

Class AAA:

1. Eastview

2. Eden Prairie

3. Brainerd

4. Apple Valley

5. Wayzata

6. St. Cloud Tech

7. Blaine

8. Burnsville

9. Spring Lake Park

10. Hopkins

11. Eagan

12. Centennial

State Kick Results

Class AAA Kick Final Results:
1. Eastview
2. Eden Prairie
3. Brainerd
4. Apple Valley
5. Wayzata
6. St. Cloud Tech 
7. Blaine
8. Burnsville
9. Spring Lake Park
10. Hopkins
11. Eagan
12. Centennial

Class AA Kick Final Results:
1. Chaska
2. Sartell
3. St. Cloud Cathedral
4. Totino Grace
5. Faribault
6. Austin

Class A Kick Final Results:
1. Aitkin
2. Cannon Falls
3. Yellow Medicine East
4. Lake City
5. Lac Qui Parle Valley
6. Duluth Marshall

Class AAA Finals Order of Performance:
1. Wayzata
2. St. Cloud Tech
3. Brainerd
4. Eden Prairie
5. Apple Valley
6. Eastview

Class AA Finals Order of Performance:
1. St. Cloud Cathedral
2. Faribault
3. Austin
4. Chaska
5. Sartell
6. Totino Grace

Class A Finals Order of Performance:
1. Duluth Marshall
2. Cannon Falls
3. Aitkin
4. Yellow Medicine East
5. Lake City
6. Lac Qui Parle Valley - D/B

MSHSL State Dance Team Tournament - Kick

Join us for the state dance team tournament on Saturday, February 18th at 11:30am for the Kick division. Follow along as you watch the event live, or streaming online at channel 45  Join in on trivia, see photos of the event, catch interviews with coaches and participants, and get a recap of all the action and scores minute by minute!  Follow along on phones, Ipads, and laptops at the arena and away!  See you at STATE!

State Tournament - Jazz Results

Do you have the other placements?  Send them in to mnhsdanceteam@gmail.com and get them posted for all to share in the awesome day of state!  See you tomorrow!

Class AAA Jazz Final Results:
1. Wayzata
2. Maple Grove
3. Eastview
4. Eden Prairie
5. St. Cloud Tech
6. Spring Lake Park 
7. Blaine
8. Brainerd
9. Lakeville North
10. Burnsville
11. Eagan
12. Centennial

Class AA Jazz Final Results:
1. Chaska
2. Benilde St-Margarets
3. Totino Grace
4. St. Cloud Cathedral
5. Sartell
6. Marshall 
7. Mound Westonka
8. Simley
9. Holy Family
10. Sauk Rapids
11. Fridley
12. Duluth Denfeld

Class A Jazz Final Results:
1. Aitkin
2. Duluth Marshall
3. Yellow Medicine East
4. Frazee
5. Cannon Falls
6. Lac Qui Parle Valley - D/B

Class AAA Jazz Qualifiers: (in order of performance)
1. St. Cloud Tech
2. Maple Grove
3. Wayzata
4. Eastview
5. Eden Prairie
6. Spring Lake Park

Class AA Jazz Qualifiers: (in order of performance)
1. St. Cloud Cathedral
2. Benilde St Margarets
3. Sartell- St Stephens
4.  Marshall
5. Chaska
6. Totino Grace

Class A Jazz Qualifiers:  (in order of performance tonight)
1. Lac Qui Parle Valley
2. Frazee
3. Yellow Medicine East
4. Duluth Marshall
5. Aitkin
6. Cannon Falls

Be sure to check out the live feed going on from the state tournament on the last post.  or view it from www.coveritlive.com

MSHSL State Dance Team Tournament - Jazz

Join us for the state dance team tournament on Friday, February 17th at 11:30am for the Jazz division.  There will be a new post for the Saturday Kick division that will appear on Saturday morning.  Follow along as you watch the event live, or streaming online at channel 45  Join in on trivia, see photos of the event, catch interviews with coaches and participants, and get a recap of all the action and scores minute by minute!  Follow along on phones, Ipads, and laptops at the arena and away!  See you at STATE!

MN HS Dance Team Exclusive: State T-Shirt Designs!

Thats right - get a sneak peak today of the state t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and hoodie designs for 2012!  MNHSDanceTeam.com did some digging for you and got a chance to talk to the designer of the state gear (based right here in Minnesota) and we've got exclusive art images for you to check out.  Of course we've got early prices too for your planning.  I know I'm all about the cool new t-shirt design.  (seen above) Interesting fact -  the background word ideas to describe what dance team is all about were actually contributed by a MN coach!  Love it.  Getting excited yet?  

Costs:

Hoodie @ $55

Black short-sleeve T-shirt @ $18*

Rainbow Tie-dye long sleeve T-shirt @ $25*

*All participant names are printed on the back of shirt

State Previews 2012

State week has finally arrived and teams from all across the state are busy packing their bags for the state tournament on Friday and Saturday at the Target Center.  Now that results are back from the second weekend of the section tournaments, we’re ready to take a look at the state matchups.  Lets dig in with the Jazz division first:

Jazz – Friday, February 17^th 2012

Class A:  This class is always a bit of a wild card each year with teams from the far reaches of the state not having gone head to head all season long.  The biggest news here has been perennial finalist Aitkin unseating the 5 time state champs, Duluth Marshall, at the section tournament.  Aitkin will certainly have the target on them as section champs from YME, Cannon Falls, and Pelican Rapids look to join the fray for a possible new champion.  YME is rumored to be something special this year, and between them, Aitkin, and Duluth Marshall I see some battles coming up for the top 3.  RCW, Mayer Lutheran, and LqPV are newcomers to the mix this time, with LacQuiParle Valley making its first ever jazz trip.  

Class AA: The always strong AA jazz division is looking stacked again for state 2012, with even the teams from the 3^rd section placement eying a spot in the finals.  Chaska, Benilde St. Margarets, Totino Grace, Sartell, St. Cloud Cathedral, Mound Westonka, Marshall, and Simley are looking solid and ready to leave it all out on the floor.  There will be some excellent jazz teams not making finals from this group for sure.  Newcomers Fridley and Duluth Denfeld will add something fresh to the scene.  Denfeld hasn’t qualified for the state tournament since 2002.  

Class AAA: This division sees some familiar faces again as Wayzata, Eastview, and Maple Grove return from last year’s top 3.  St. Cloud Tech is looking to join that mix with their rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” claiming them the section 4 championship.  Eden Prairie, Spring Lake Park, and Lakeville North are some of my other “keep an eye on” teams.  Spring Lake Park is dazzling in their emotional and touching jazz routine, the first to give me chills all year and not to be missed. 

Kick – Saturday, February 18^th 2012

Class A: The speculation is flying about this division as last year’s top 4 teams are back and haven’t seen each other much all season long.  Aitkin and Cannon Falls missed having an annual meeting at the Alexandria invitational this year and will first glimpse each other at state prelims.  Those two have gone 1,2 for the last 3 years- and often in dramatic fashion.  (last year required a double tie breaker)  YME and LqPV should bring something to the mix not to be underestimated while there will also be room for a Lake City or Pelican Rapids in there too.  Mayer Lutheran will be first timers in this matchup and Dover hasn’t been around in a few seasons and will be excited to be back for sure.

 

Class AA: After the dust settled from the section 1 meet, all 3 of their qualifiers look to be tough competitors for top spots.  AA newcomers Faribault and Chaska both took the top 2 spots in section 1, certain to shake up the podium in AA finals.  Last year’s state champ Sartell is looking great and not going away quietly, while St. Cloud Cathedral, Totino Grace, Austin, and Marshall will seek to make some waves of their own.  This division has the most potential for some surprises and “squeak in there” moments.  I predict a challenge for spectators to choose which side to sit on during preliminaries.  Hutchinson and Hill Murray will be the rookies to this scene after a break of a few years.  

Class AAA: Section 1 is looking strong after sending back powerful teams from Eastview, Apple Valley, and Burnsville to the state floor.  Burnsville missed its first ever state kick tournament last year and they sure haven’t forgotten.  Their new kick dance features a color lined jacket that opens during the routine for visual effect.  Eastview also joined in the special effects at sections, adding a light up skirt feature to their ending pose.  Apple Valley is on to something that really works for them, oozing cuteness through those monster kicks.  Brainerd is my dark horse in this mix, with solid technique and an eye for what works – they’re looking for some hardware this time around.  Eden Prairie and St. Cloud Tech are also looking to join the hunt.  Wayzata and Hopkins are newcomers to this year – with Hopkins never having qualified in kick before.   

Good luck to our “new” teams, returning state champs, and everyone in-between!  State 2012 is sure shaping up to be a classic, and not to be missed.  MNHSDanceTeam.com will be there covering it all for you “live” via our instant feed.  Get immediate results, pictures, trivia, interviews, background information, and commentary to enhance the state tournament experience.  Easily viewed on mobile devices or while streaming the tournament online at channel 45.  Look for upcoming surprises about the state tournament, along with all your facts and schedules, at your home for Minnesota Dance Team – MNHSDanceTeam.com!  See you at State 2012!

Final State Performance Order

All of the Qualifiers are in!  Congrats to the teams!  See you in 4 days!


Jazz:                                                                     Kick:
 

	Class Performance Section Class Performance Section Order Qualifier Order Qualifier A 1 ST. CHARLES A 1 LAKE CITY A 2 ZUMBROTA A 2 DOVER EYOTA A 3 YME A 3 BOLD A 4 PELICAN RAPIDS A 4 PELICAN RAPIDS A 5 CANNON FALLS A 5 DULUTH MARSHALL A 6 AITKIN A 6 CROSBY-IRONTON A 7 DULUTH MARSHALL A 7 CANNON FALLS A 8 RCW A 8 MAYER LUTHERAN A 9 CROSBY-IRONTON A 9 LQPV-DB A 10 MAYER LUTHERAN A 10 AITKIN A 11 LQPV-DB A 11 BAGLEY A 12  FRAZEE A 12 YME AA 1 CHASKA AA 1 WACONIA AA 2 MARSHALL AA 2 TOTINO GRACE AA 3 TOTINO GRACE AA 3 SARTELL AA 4 HOLY FAMILY AA 4 ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL AA 5 FRIDLEY AA 5 AUSTIN AA 6 DULUTH DENFELD AA 6 SAUK RAPIDS-RICE AA 7  SARTELL AA 7 MARSHALL AA 8 SIMLEY AA 8 CHASKA AA 9 BENILDE  AA 9 FARIBAULT AA 10 SAUK RAPIDS-RICE AA 10 HUTCHINSON AA 11  ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL AA 11 HILL MURRAY AA 12 MOUND WESTONKA AA 12 FRIDLEY AAA 1  EDEN PRAIRIE AAA 1 ST. CLOUD TECH AAA 2 BURNSVILLE AAA 2 BURNSVILLE AAA 3  BLAINE AAA 3 EAGAN AAA 4 LAKEVILLE NORTH AAA 4 HOPKINS AAA 5 WAYZATA AAA 5 BLAINE AAA 6 ST. CLOUD TECH AAA 6 SPRING LAKE PARK AAA 7 SPRING LAKE PARK AAA 7 WAYZATA AAA 8 EAGAN AAA 8 CENTENNIAL AAA 9 BRAINERD AAA 9 EDEN PRAIRIE AAA 10 MAPLE GROVE AAA 10 EASTVIEW AAA 11 CENTENNIAL AAA 11 BRAINERD AAA 12 EASTVIEW AAA 12 APPLE VALLEY

Sections Final Results

This is it!  State order is now set!  Congratulations to all the winners.  See you Friday and Saturday at the Target Center.

Section 1A:

Kick:

1. Cannon Falls

2. Lake City

3. Dover Eyota

Jazz:

1. Cannon Falls

2. Zumbrota Mazeppa

3. St. Charles

2A:

Kick:

1. Aitkin

2. Duluth Marshall

3. Mayer Lutheran

Jazz:

1. Aitkin

2. Duluth Marshall

3. Mayer Lutheran

3A:

Kick:

1. Yellow Medicine East

2. Lac Qui Parle Valley

3. BOLD

Jazz:

1. Yellow Medicine East

2. Lac Qui Parle Valley

3. Renville County West

1AA:

Kick:

1. Chaska

2. Faribault

3. Austin

Jazz:

1. Chaska

2. Benilde-St.Margarets

3. Simley

2AA:

Kick:

1. Totino Grace

2. Fridley

3. Hill Murray

Jazz:

1. Totino Grace

2. Fridley

3. Duluth Denfeld

1AAA:

Kick:

1. Eastview

2. Apple Valley

3. Burnsville

Jazz:

1. Eastview

2. Lakeville North

3. Burnsville

3AAA:

Kick:

1. Spring Lake Park

2. Centennial

3. Eagan

Jazz:

1. Spring Lake Park

2. Eagan

3. Centennial

Section 1AAA Live Commentary Feed

Join us here at 4:15pm on Saturday for complete coverage of the section 1AAA dance team championship live from Bloomington Kennedy high school!  Photos, commentary, results, insights, trivia, updates, and more all on an easy to read format for mobile devices!  Tune in to be updated on section results from across the state as they come in. 

Second Weekend of Sections - Previews!

The first round is behind us now and 19 teams have earned a spot in the state lineup.  They are filled in on the state performance order listed by mnhsdanceteam.com  - This weekend we have twice as many meets to fill the rest of our roster and send us full steam into the Target Center!  Good luck to all the teams participating…..

Class A:

Section 1A:  This group is typically dominated by the Cannon Falls Bombers and this year looks to be no exception.  The BDT will be looking for their staggering 9^th consecutive kick section championship in a new location at Dover-Eyota.  Lake City will also be looking good in the kick division, with teams from St. Charles and Zumbrota looking for the #3.  In jazz, Cannon Falls looks good for qualifying again, with Zumbrota and St. Charles adding repeat visits themselves if all goes well.

Section 2A: The section held in Aitkin is rather a mis-match of geography, hosting teams from as far away as New Ulm to Duluth.  The reorganization should still yield Aitkin and Duluth Marshall as the top spots in both divisions, with special interest on the jazz division where we’ll see if Duluth Marshall is looking good to take yet another state championship or not.  Aitkin might give them a run for it, but they missed out on a chance to meet up at the Mounds View Invite when Aitkin (among others) dropped the event.  Should add more drama to Saturday’s matchup for sure.  The remaining 3^rd place is up for grabs in a section that doesn’t go head to head often enough to venture a guess.  Perhaps we’ll get a newcomer in this field. 

Section 3A: This heated pack will be the place to see all the class A action on Saturday with teams from YME, LqPV, BOLD, RCW, and every other initialed combination you can think of battling it out.  Yellow Medicine East is my pick for tops in jazz and possibly kick, while Lac Qui Parle Valley looks to qualify in kick again and possibly make its first ever jazz state appearance after adding the program only last year.  Tracy is looking strong to qualify in one or both, while RCW and BOLD will join the hunt with BOLD looking better in kick than jazz for a change. 

Class AA:

Section 1AA: This one will be the place to be if you’re willing to make the trek to Austin to watch the action unfold.  One thing is for sure about this section – there will be teams I want on my state video who won’t make it.  Chaska is looking to take the top spot in both in my book.  I saw their last performances at the preview, and it was wow.  Their kick contained physical depictions of crocodiles, hieroglyphics, and even Nile rivers flowing - the full visual picture. I’m not sure I’ve EVER seen that level of detail accomplished before.  Gonna raise the bar, that one.  Their jazz is a more sophisticated version of their “typical” (yet new) style.  Solid, impressive, and polished to the last.  The remaining kick division contains strong teams from Faribault, Benilde, Holy Angels, Austin, and Simley who are looking for their ticket to state.  Faribault is not to be doubted in a pressure situation like this one, and then I’d guess either Austin or Benilde will sneak in the last spot.  That’s entirely a guess as I think it will be a best of the moment decision.  Dance Team at its’ finest!  Jazz has the same top names, with Benilde and Simley as likely qualifiers in my book. 

Section 2AA:  This field will most certainly feature Totino Grace prominently on the podium, with strong kick performances from Fridley, Hill Murray, and North Branch to round it out.  In jazz, Totino, Fridley, Hill Murray, and Chisago Lakes are looking good for top placements.  With the departure of Rogers to AAA , we’ll for sure see some new faces emerge from this section. 

Class AAA:

Section 1AAA:  The evening section at Bloomington Kennedy should be a strong kick matchup with teams from Eastview and Apple Valley looking strong for qualification.  Burnsville and Lakeville North will try to get return trips to state after not making it in kick last season.  Burnsville will likely be bringing a new, little seen dance to the table which could be a wild card.  Eastview will do their new “music box dancer” routine complete with black tutus and pink tights, possibly channeling their inner black swan.  In jazz, Eastview, Burnsville, and Lakeville North look good for repeat visits to the state floor, with some possible wild card action in there from a more open field than previous years. 

Section 3AAA: The morning session at Bloomington will be a tighter race than usual with top teams scoring closely in both divisions.  The only clear standout will likely be Spring Lake Park jazz which was chill inducing at the section preview.  I am also really on board with Centennial’s kick dance as my pick in that division.  Eagan is looking strong to qualify in both, along with someone from the pack of Henry Sibley, Irondale, and Forest Lake in there for trips to state.  This one will be a photo finish.   

Best of luck to all the talented athletes!  

Inspiration: Student Writings

Check out this great poem and photo submitted by Hutchinson senior dancer, Sammy Jo Robbins, who was willing to let me share this with the dance community.  Congrats to a "new" state team!  

Sections- Senior Year 

Millions of thoughts run though your head,
Like you have three minutes to show
How hard you’ve been training for days,
Months, seasons, even years.
Finally, the music starts
Kick after kick
Arm after arm, finally
The last pose. You made it.

Now you stand on the floor
Just one last time, to hear your name called.
You get butterflies like a first love.
At last, your name is called,
You cry, scream and jump for joy!
You have waited four years for this dream,
But before it runs, just remember it was all you.