The Becker Dazzlers dance team competed in two competitions this past week. Albany Invite On Jan. 26, the team traveled to Albany for a Granite Ridge Conference meet to determine the final conference standings. 

 

JV jazz performed very well and was able to capture first place at this meet.  

 

Varsity jazz won a tie-breaker and finished third, while varsity kick finished in fourth place.  

 

Overall, the varsity jazz squad finished in second place in the GRC, one place higher than last season. Varsity kick finished third, the same placement as last season.

 

“Dance is physically demanding, but it is also mentally demanding,” said Co-Coach Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen. “It forces you to move on from mistakes or less than perfect execution quickly.”  

 

Nadia pointed out there are no “time outs” in dance.

 

“There is not a next play or next at bat,” she said. “There is just one opportunity to execute everything perfectly as a team.”

 

Nadia assumes that for many, the meets prior to Albany were less than perfect, but she was “proud of how her team was able to focus on what they did well and prepare for their next competition.”

 

Last Saturday, the team competed in Monticello in one of the last events of the season for the JV teams. 

 

“I could not be more proud of our JV team,” said Coach Jody Lechner-Roepke. “They have had an amazing season and have grown so much! I am a very proud coach and am very fortunate to work with such talented young ladies.” 

 

Becker’s JV jazz athletes performed a clean, entertaining routine and ended up in fifth place.  

 

JV kick performed with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and was able to bring home the third place hardware. 

 

“Overall, JV had a great season,” said Co-Coach Julie Baloun. “They improved so much over the course of the season. It's exciting to think about what they can accomplish in the future.” 

 

“I'm impressed with how well JV did this year,” said Fischer-Danzeisen. “We're looking forward to having them around for a few more years!”

 

The varsity teams also had a good day in Monticello as both the jazz and kick teams had stronger and improved performances over their last couple meets. 

 

“It really shows the perseverance and determination this team has,” said Coach Baloun. “They came out strong and confident and really had their best performances of the season on Saturday.” 

 

Baloun says her dancers looked great and were a joy to watch as they came off the floor feeling good about what they had done. 

 

“I am very proud of how this team continues to push themselves and grows and improves each day,” she said.

 

The Becker varsity jazz and kick teams finished fourth out of 13 teams at Saturdays competition.

 

The Dazzlers head to Rocori High School today (Saturday) to compete in the Section 4AA tournament. Section 4AA is a very tough section with perennial state tournament contenders in Sartell, St Cloud Cathedral, Rocori and Sauk Rapids-Rice. Teams from St. Cloud Apollo, Pequot Lakes, Melrose and Albany have also been scoring well this season and will be at this competition. 

 

“It's a very tough section, but it should be a great competition, likely with some very tight scores,” said Baloun. “We plan on working very hard this week to really refine our routines in preparation for the section tournament.”