Given the fact that Prescott has won 29 WACPC state championships since 1994, an unprecedented level of success for any team in any sport in state history, it’s often easy to forget that winning state titles is immensely challenging.

Although the Prescott dance team fell short of winning its 30th state championship, the Cardinals earned strong runner-up finishes in both the Division 3 Jazz and Division 5 Pom events at the state championships in La Crosse on Friday, Feb. 3.

For Prescott dance head coach Samantha Marks, the 2023 state championships were unequivocally a success. She spoke about this year’s pair of runner-up results as well as an ever- changing setup at the state competition. “We are insanely proud. The Wisconsin Association of Cheer and Pom See PRESCOTT DANCE, Page B-9 Coaches (WACPC) switches up the layout and qualifications every year,” Marks said. “With our program’s strong history, we can sometimes forget how amazing it is to even qualify for the state competition. We have some amazing competitors. To medal is an absolute honor.”

Prescott began its state championship experience with three seniors competing individually in the Division 3 All-State Solo Finals on Friday afternoon. Prescott’s Norah French, Ella Schomer and Aurora Rightman performed their routines and had one competitor, French, earn All-State Dance Team honors for her efforts.

The seniors’ success individually gave Prescott momentum heading into its team events. The Cardinals finished runner-up to Little Chute in the Division 5 Pom competition and then earned another second-place finish to Aquinas in the Division 3 Jazz event.

For coach Marks, the senior class has made just as big of an impact off the floor as it has on it. She spoke about the type of leadership her four seniors have provided this season and how it positively impacted the entire program.

“They had so obviously taken bits and pieces from the leaders that came before them and carefully incorporated what worked and intentionally terminated the leadership tactics that did not work for their peers,” Marks said. “They took the time to form a relationship with every one of their teammates and curated the energy of our season to what specifically got them excited and motivated. Their presence will be so missed.”

Forming relationships between seniors and underclassmen became a central theme to Prescott’s team this season, and it continued at the state championships in La Crosse. For the first time in state dance history, the battle for state titles became a two-day event that allowed teams from throughout Wisconsin to create additional lifelong memories.

That meant more nights in the hotel together, more team dinners and other team-building exercises that brought an already family-like group of girls even closer together. Coach Marks spoke about how the transition to a twoday event changed Prescott’s experience.

“This year the State Competition was extended to a two-day event. For the first time ever we headed to La Crosse on a Thursday evening and competed on a Friday,” Marks said. “The girls got to sleep in a bit in the morning and took their time getting ready with their best friends. It was such a different vibe than a 5 a.m. wakeup call. They got time to sit back, enjoy and really soak it all in.”

For Prescott, it appeared as if all the chemistry off the floor came together at the same time. Those veteran seniors began instilling leadership traits in underclassmen and the team built lifelong bonds over additional time at the state championships.

The entirety of the roster didn’t limit its impact to other dancers, but they also found ways to generate positive experiences with the longtime Prescott coaching staff that includes the aforementioned Marks. She spoke about how her four seniors helped the staff feel like they were a part of the family more than ever before.

“High school sports are not in any way shape or form about us coaches at all. We do it for the kids, but these girls made us coaches feel like we weren’t on the outside,” Marks said. “They pulled us into the experience with them. They were so grateful and as a coach, that feeling is everything. This is a time-consuming part-time job. We all have families, full-time jobs, additional part-time gigs and lives. They made us feel so appreciated and made our jobs easy.”

Prescott’s unrivaled success throughout the last 30 years means that the Cardinals don’t rebuild, they reload. While the class of 2023 will unquestionably be missed, the coaching staff is excited about the program’s bright future which is illuminated by young dancers.

“We are anxious for upand- coming talent and we love our freshmen,” Marks said. “We always have high hopes, but we can never really assume what our numbers will look like until we see who shows up for tryouts. To the hopefuls out there, join us. It will be the best four years of your life. Why not be part of something special and create some beautiful friendships to help you get through it all.”

The Prescott Cardinals dance team poses for a photo together on the day of the State Championships at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse on Friday, Feb. 3. Photo courtesy of Prescott High School Dance