By Reagan Hoverman

It was another successful year for both the Prescott and Ellsworth dance teams as they both qualified for and competed in the annual state dance competition on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse.

At the state championships, Prescott won the state title in the Division 3 Jazz competition and received second place in the Division 5 Pom competition. In terms of individual results, Prescott’s Shayanne Stenroos and Tess Kinney earned themselves spots on the Division 3 All-State Team.

As for Ellsworth, awards weren’t in short supply either. The Panthers placed fourth in Division 3 Hip Hop, Téa Hill and Raelyn Rasmussen made the All-State Team for their solos. Téa Hill and Maria Oricchio placed second for their duet performance.

“They had two amazing performances and Casey Oricchio and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Ellsworth co-head coach Amy Hill said.

Ellsworth and Prescott had fantastic results at the biggest high school dance competition in Wisconsin. For Prescott head coach Sam Marks, it was exactly what they had been working for the whole season.

“I’m so incredibly proud of this team for continuing the legacy of Prescott Dance,” Marks said. “Our history inspires us, but it certainly does not determine our outcomes. It was the passion, strength and determination this crew displayed throughout the season that brought the hardware home.”

Coach Marks stated that it was an emotional weekend in La Crosse for all of the right reasons. The team knew that there were high hopes going into state competition and that they would have to perform at their peak to bring home another state championship.

The team traveled to La Crosse on Friday afternoon after school got out. The team got dinner, got prepared mentally and then went to bed early ahead of the big day that was Saturday morning and afternoon. Marks spoke about state competition day.

“Saturday was set up to be a pretty quick day for us with minimal time between each performance,” Marks said. “However, we chatted about this the night before and all did our best to slow it down, soak it in, and live in each moment.”

In what was only the span of a couple of hours, the state competition began and ended. For Prescott and coach Marks, the memories of Saturday are as vivid as if they just happened.

“The day didn’t seem to fly,” Marks said. “I can vividly remember how each warmup went, what was said in each pre-performance huddle, and how I felt in the moment watching the girls’ performances. Lots of happy tears were shed throughout the day – not just at awards. All we wanted to do was put our best performances on the floor and leave with no regrets and that’s exactly what we did.”

The Prescott dance team is known throughout the state as being one of the best dance teams in Wisconsin for the last 20 years. This year, a lot of the leadership on the team came from seniors who have left their mark on the dance program. Coach Marks spoke about this group of seniors and what they’ve meant to the program.

The seniors who have had a significant impact on this program are the senior captain selections for the 2021-22 iteration of the dance team. Those captains are Ella Rohl, Shayanne Stenroos, Grace Franco, Breanne Auleciems and Tess Kinney.

“When we as coaches run out of the right words to say, we turn to our senior captains,” Marks said. “After experiencing a season driven by COVID last year, they were ready to bask in each moment this year and pushed their teammates to do the same. They were so grateful for every opportunity to perform and compete.”

After a season that was primarily destroyed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the seniors helped continue to advance the team, which included helping the underclassmen continue to advance their routines. Marks spoke about all of the little things that this senior class has done.

“They pushed our underclassmen to perform and compete,” Marks said of the senior captains. “They pushed our underclassmen dominant team to be their best each and every day, at each and every practice. They knew this team had the potential and ability to earn a trip to La Crosse, and never stopped pushing their limits even once we walked into the state competition this weekend. Us coaches are very proud of their growth, determination and hard work this season.”

Marks spoke highly of the coaching staff that she has worked with this season. Not only about the main coaches on her staff, but everyone who has helped the team improve along with way.

“Brianna Shirley and Emma Carlson, both Prescott alumni, collegiate dancers, and two of my best friends,” Marks said. “They are more qualified for this position than I am. They have brought a whole new light, perspective and drive to the girls this year. Additionally, I’d like to thank our jazz choreographer, Kaitlyn Lundquist.”

For Spring Valley, Ellsworth and Prescott, it was another successful dance season that ends in more hardware coming back to Pierce County.

The Prescott dance team celebrates with the state championship trophy for the Division 3 Jazz competition and the runner-up trophy for the Division 5 Pom competition. Photo courtesy of Sam Marks

Members of the Prescott dance team and coaching staff embrace each other after winning the state championship in La Crosse on Saturday, Feb. 5. Photo courtesy of Sam Marks

The EHS dance team at state after a performance. Pictured are Isabel Billeter, Kylie Knutson, RaeAnna Smith, Corynn Jahnke, Maria Oricchio, Isabelle Pechacek, Téa hill, Shayla Gilbertson and Raelyn Rasmussen. Photo courtesy of Amy Hill