Prescott named division 3 Jazz Champs

The Prescott Cardinals dance team will add more hardware to the trophy case after the Wisconsin State dance competition, hosted virtually last weekend. Starting at 3 p.m. Friday, April 30, the team will be celebrating around Prescott with the Prescott Fire Department.

The Cardinals are this year’s Division 3 Jazz State Champions, as well as the Division 4 Pom State Runner-Ups._ It wasn’t just the varsity team taking home the top prize. The junior varsity dancers won first place at the virtual competition in both the Pom and Jazz categories.

'We remember, we rebuild, we came back stronger. Nothing beats this feeling. We are so proud, Prescott Proud,' the Prescott High School Dance Team Facebook page reads, with a link to the Division 3 Jazz routine that won them the state champ title.

Photo courtesy of Prescott School District

River Falls

River Falls also had a successful weekend of virtual dance.

“We had a great day Sunday competing virtually in the 2021 Dance Team State Competition. Our team advanced to state for the third year in a row,” River Falls Coach Megan Franklin said. “This year as Western Regional Division 1 Hip Hop champions, RFDT competed for the second year backto- back as double qualifiers, bringing our D1 Hip Hop and D1 Jazz routines. This year we were moved up from D2 to D1, so that was a new and exciting challenge.”

The Wildcats also submitted seven virtual solo performances and one duet performance.

“There were more than twice as many entries this year, so the competition was fierce!” Franklin said.

Kaelyn Tape earned D1 First Team All-State, and Keira Anderson and Kadence Zielski both made D1 Second Team All-State._Grace Vivoda-Sadée_and Avery Maher tied for ninth place out of more than 30 competitors with their duet.

“We couldn’t be prouder of every single girl on the team this year. They all worked extremely hard and navigated the season with grace, even in the face of all the challenges and changes we faced this year due to COVID,” Franklin said.

Photo courtesy of River Falls School District

Ellsworth

Pierce County has another dance team that fulfilled and exceeded its goals.

“I am beyond proud to announce that Ellsworth is bringing home not one but two trophies for the first time ever,” Coach Amy Hill said.

The Panthers are State Runner Up after placing second in Division 2 Jazz. Ellsworth also placed third in Division 4 Pom. All four of the Panther soloists made First Team All-State: Seniors Haley Herem and Victoria Lynner, along with junior Téa Hill and sophomore Macy Gutting._ The ensemble trio of Haley Herem, Victoria Lynner and Téa Hill placed first, while the duet of Audrey Farrell and Corynn Jahnke placed seventh.

“There were many obstacles this year with COVID and these girls stayed strong and powered through. We had BIG goals for them,” Hill relayed. “We wanted them to earn top five so we could hear them call ‘Ellsworth’ at the State Awards. They by far exceeded our expectations and we are so proud of each and every one of them! Their comeback was HUGE!”

Photo by Jack McLoone

Pictured are Wildcat dancers (back, from left) Kadence Zielski, Sydney Johnson, Keira Anderson, Erica Miner, Peyton Lodge, Grace Vivoda-Sadée; (front, from left) Avery Maher, Sophia Lodge, Ashley Kleist, Cece Purfeerst, Kaelyn Tape, Ary Lee.

Ellsworth dancers met in East End Park on Friday, April 23 to get pumped for the virtual state competition. Pictured are (front, from left) Haley Herem, Tea Hill and Macy Gutting; (middle, from left) Raelyn Rasmussen, Nadia Thurmes, Victoria Lynner, Maria Gronseth and Maria Oricchio; (back, from left) Kylie Knutson, Raeanna Smith, Audrey Ferrell and Corynn Jahnke.