LA CROSSE — Prescott repeated as double State Champions, Ellsworth placed in a pair of routines and Elmwood/Plum City placed sixth in their lone routine to highlight a beyond successful weekend in La Crosse at the State competition.

Prescott was welcomed back to town with a fire department parade after winning D5 Pom and D3 Jazz State Championships, coming in second in D3 Hip Hop.

“Being back-to-back double state champions in pom and jazz and earning a runner-up finish in our first ever hip hop routine is incredibly rewarding, but for us, the medals aren’t the main takeaway. All season, our message to the team was simple - be 2% better than your last full out. Our only competition was ourselves. If the girls could walk off the floor knowing they gave everything they had and improved on the last time they performed, then we would be proud regardless of the outcome. That’s exactly what they did. The results were a bonus, the icing on the cake after a weekend where they showed growth, discipline and commitment to the standard they set for themselves,” Prescott Assistant Coach Brianna Shirley said.

In addition to the team results, seniors Nat Huppert and Makenna Hildebrandt made the D5 All-State team as soloists. It was a special weekend for the Cardinals, and their experience of winning back-to-back State titles a year ago helped them know what to expect this time around.

“Every kid showed up, mentally and physically. They trusted each other, trusted the process and didn’t shy away from the standard that was set for them. They raised it. The girls executed three of the hardest routines we’ve put on the floor to date, and that was intentional,” Shirley said. “It was rewarding, but it was also tough. The girls had two very long days that required constant focus and mental discipline, and they never wavered. Our goal was to prepare these 17 athletes so that when it came time to perform, they could step on the floor with confidence and trust in their preparation. After a lot of work (194 full outs to be exact) they knew they had earned that confidence. It showed in the way they handled the pressure and supported one another. From start to finish, they stayed locked in and did exactly what they trained to do.”

Ellsworth

The Panthers are no strangers to the State floor themselves, and it showed, taking fourth in D3 Hip Hop and fifth in D3 Jazz.

“State 2026 had so many memories and our team soaked them all in. The time between Regionals and State was intense: preparing for our three qualifying routines (hip hop, jazz and pom) and it just adds another level. We focused on some ‘state surprises’ as we like to call them and mindset,” Coach Angie McHardy said. “State is an experience you strive to reach all year. Qualifying in itself is an accomplishment and not one we take for granted. Bringing home any hardware is impressive and we are beyond thrilled to bring home two trophies to our town!”

From the State send-off to walking through each of Ellsworth’s schools, McHardy said the team felt the village’s support every step of the way.

Individually, Addie Sabby, SaVaya Moorhouse and Savanna Hoyer competed for a spot on the All-State Team, with Sabby being selected.

“Each one of them made me tear up. They danced beautifully. They each have such a talent, unique style and execution. They each rose to the challenge,” McHardy said. “Addie has a gift when she performs. She’s a strong dancer and she executed her routine flawlessly.”

Jazz and hip hop are two routines Ellsworth has excelled at for years. McHardy said they “absolutely killed” the hip-hop routine and felt they could have placed even higher than they did based on what they brought to the table.

“We love all our routines, but hip-hop and jazz hold a special spot. Our jazz dance had its moment at State,” McHardy said. “This dance has many intricate moments and Coach Alyssa [Pechacek]’s choreography is specific and goes from sharp to fluid and they hit all those moments perfectly.”

Elmwood/Plum City

EPC took sixth in D6 Pom at the State meet, marking the end of a weekend they will never forget.

“The EPC dance team worked hard during the time between Regionals and State to sharpen their timing and the strength and precision of their movements. They also brought high energy at State: all these combined for a sixth place at State, their best finish yet,” EPC Coach Tracy Henn said.

Laila Smith and Lizzie Henn qualified as soloists for the State meet, and Smith made it to the All-State team.

“Laila is an experienced dancer; she brings skill, stage presence and energy to the team. Being a sophomore, she will also be important as a leader during the next two dance seasons,” Henn said.

Coach Henn said the solid core of seniors played a large role in keeping the team calm and ready to go when the big day came and went.

“I would like to give a shout out to our seniors; they provided so much stability, expertise, support and leadership for the team this year. Andrea Arredondo danced on the team as a sophomore and again this year as a senior. Ellyana Shingledecker and Lizzie Henn both danced on the team their sophomore through senior years, and Lizzie Henn also participated as a soloist all four years of high school. They have been great assets to the team and will be missed,” Henn said. “The State experience is very different from performing at basketball games, other competitions or Regionals, due to the venue. The La Crosse Center is so much bigger and with many more fans than other performance spaces; that can be intimidating, but it can also provide the extra adrenaline and energy to put in a great performance. I feel like it did that for EPC.”