The Recap Sheet - Monday 11/19/12

Well we are finally here - we have results in the book and the first performances of the year have started the competition phase of the year off right.  Everyone is getting warmed up and those routines are getting pulled together for the big invitationals coming up in the month of December.  Today we have our first recap of what has happened so far and what we're looking forward to this next week in the world of dance team.  

NW Suburban Conference, Friday November 16th, Coon Rapids High School
The NWSC always comes out swinging in their first jazz meet of the year, the earliest in the state.  The conference splits into two competing "sides" who will be going against one another that night.  I got a chance to pop in this meet and it was an amazing feeling to see some real live action dance that wasn't on a video screen.  There is no way to beat that feeling.  Plus the NWSC has some great fans and parents.  Thanks guys for making room for me, double checking song artists, and chatting dance with me!  Here are the results:
Side 1:
1. Blaine
2. Anoka
also on this side: Centennial, Coon Rapids, Champlin Park
Side 2: 
1. Maple Grove
2. Andover
Also on this side: Osseo, Park Center, Elk River

Thoughts:  I missed the opening 2 dances, so I didn't see what Blaine was bringing to the mix in order to win their side.  Anoka was lovely and looked solid.  Coon Rapids finished off this side with a really unique idea with a mask and some dark undertones to the dance that I found refreshing and suited their ability level and talent base.  Over on side 2, Andover kicked it off with my first genuine goosebumps of the season.  Their steady and controlled skills really make their dance so powerful and effortless.  Very impressed with them.  Maple Grove looked stunning as usual - no one performs and emotes the way they do in person.  I have to remind myself that those girls are actually high school age.  They dance with such maturity.  I love their new costumes, the pictures don't do it justice.  Park Center brought out a big group this year, its nice to see the progress of that program.  

Burnsville Invitational, Saturday November 17th:
The invitational season kicked off at one of two sites this weekend with Burnsville hosting the larger gathering.  Here are the results:

JV AAA High Kick

1.  Farmington JV (3)

V AAA High Kick

1.  Farmington (5)

2.  Rogers (7)

AA JV Jazz

1.  Totino-Grace JV (3)

AAA B Squad

1.  Burnsville (4)

AA Varsity Jazz

1.  Totino-Grace (3.5)

2.  Fridley (7)

3.  Simley

AAA JV Jazz

1.  Duluth East (3)

2.  Burnsville (8)

3.  Eagan (9)

4.  Champlin Park (14)

AAA Varsity Jazz

1.  Eagan (3)

2.  Spring Lake Park (8)

3.  Forest Lake (10)

4.  Burnsville (12.5)

Thoughts:  While I wasn't there, I'm happy to see that some teams that don't always get a big share of 1st place trophies were taking home some gold this weekend. Farmington's program continues to build and took home a 1st in varsity kick, while Eagan beat their section rival Spring Lake Park in the opening meeting in AAA jazz.  Forest Lake continues to show improvement in their jazz category, coming in ahead of host Burnsville to take the 3rd place spot.  TG, Fridley, and Simley took the same order as they did last year at this meet in jazz, with TG fielding a large group that is a bit against the recent statewide trend of smaller jazz teams, that should be exciting once I get to see it.  There is a lot of potential for formations and group choices with a larger team that I will enjoy taking in.  

Shakopee Invitational, Saturday November 17th:

Shakopee hosted it's 1st invite (I think, correct me if I'm wrong) where we get to see some Lake Conference pre-season matchups that made me want to immediately clear my schedule for those upcoming battles in the conference.  Check out the results:

AAA Varsity Jazz:

1. Edina (4)

2. Hopkins (5)

3. Eden Prairie (9)

4. Shakopee (12)

AAA JV Jazz:

1.Eden Prairie (3)

2. Edina (6)

3. Hopkins (9)

4. Shakopee (12)

5. Osseo (15)

Thoughts:  Again, I wasn't at this meet, but I can't imagine what it must have taken to end up first in this matchup.  Edina pulls out a squeaker over Hopkins, and Eden Prairie, a state finalist last year, slides into the 3rd spot.  I wouldn't say this means anything certain for the future, as I would never write off Hopkins or EP, but I'm going to enjoy watching the intense fight to sections we have ahead of us for section 2AAA and the Lake Conference.  Gotta be feeling good about winning round one Edina - good for you. 

What a crazy first weekend!  Love to see some new faces on top, some brave groups tested the early waters out there and that is no small thing.  Congrats to all the teams who've had their first performances!  

Whats on tap for this week:

Tuesday, November 20th

Classic Suburban Conference Jazz Meet - Hill Murray High School

South Suburban Conference Jazz Meet - Eagan High School