Dance Regionals were a major success, landing Elmwood/Plum City, Ellsworth and Prescott in the State competition, with Spring Valley showing out but narrowly missing the cut.

For EPC, it was the first time the team had performed the routine at competition. They left it all out on the floor, finishing third of 12 teams.

“With three seniors and five returning dancers, the EPC team is a good mix of experience and energy. The team was very much looking forward to Northern Regionals as they had not yet been able to perform the routine at a competition, and their excitement really showed in their performance,” Coach Tracy Henn said.

The Wolves also had solo All-State qualifiers in Laila Smith and Lizzie Henn. The two are experienced performers with dance backgrounds. It was Smith’s first year on the EPC team, and Henn is an All-State returner two years running.

“This group of girls is very special because of how well they work together, support each other, and help one another to improve. Once the routine was committed to memory by the team, we have spent much of our practice time with all the girls helping one another to clean and perfect the routine,” Coach Henn said.

With two weeks to prepare for State competition, there is no doubt EPC will be ready to go on the big day.

“To shine at State, the team will need to rely on one another to keep their energy high, their timing on, and their movements precise. Our soloists will need to use their experience and skill and connect emotionally with the judges and audience,” Henn said.

Prescott and Ellsworth are back at State. The Cardinals took home the jazz and hip hop titles along with a second-place pom finish to qualify for State. For Ellsworth, it was a second-place finish in hip hop, third in jazz and fourth in pom that landed the Panthers back at State.

“Qualifying for State is such an accomplishment and a feat we don’t take for granted. We have been really fortunate to qualify again this year! We are proud to say that for the second year in a row, we qualified in all three [routines],” Ellsworth Coach Angie McHardy said.

Addie Sabby, SaVaya Moorhouse and Savanna Hoyer qualified for State for Ellsworth as soloists, and Aubrey Faber and Cora Peterson’s duet was announced as seventh place in D3 State, as State duet placements are announced at Regionals rather than State.

“This team is dedicated. The hours of practices, their determination, work ethic as well as their aspiration to continue to improve and grow is something both of us coaches have been proud of.

They work very hard. It does not go unnoticed. I know as we prepare for State we will continue to push forward and give 110% till the end,” McHardy said.

Prescott seniors Natalee Huppert and Makenna Hildebrandt advanced to the solo State finals as well.

Spring Valley narrowly missed out on State, needing just four more points in pom and three in jazz. The team has just four members this season, but they fill the floor by bringing the energy.

“I was really proud of our girls at Regionals,” Coach Shawna O’Meara said. “It’s a big ask for four individuals to really make a presence on the dance floor. Personality was great. Energy was great. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

O’Meara said a decrease to the team pool from 17 to 12 also decreased the State qualifier spots, meaning fewer State spots were available. While the competition season comes to an end, O’Meara is proud of the way the team competed this season.

“It felt like we want to make an impact and show people what we thought we could accomplish as a team,” O’Meara said.

The State competition is Feb. 6-7 at the La Crosse Center.