The Becker Dazzler varsity jazz dance team tallied their highest overall score and tied for first place (based on rankings by each judge) with the Detroit Lakes team at the Fergus Falls Dance Team Invitational Dec. 20.

 

However, once the tie breaker was established, due to statistically how the rankings played out, the Dazzlers ended up taking home the trophy for second place.

 

“It was difficult to learn that we tied for first place and lost the tie breaker when the team had delivered such an outstanding performance,” said Head Coach Laura Anderson. “I had us in the first place spot.”

 

Anderson went on to say this just makes her team want to work even harder. 

 

“We are integrating even more difficulty into our jazz routine which should help us achieve this goal,” she said. “The challenge with adding more difficulty is that each dancer has to be able to execute it flawlessly and it can be risky if it is a new skill for some of the athletes.”

 

The varsity kick routine also scored the highest overall points in their history and took home the fourth place spot.

 

“Although the team performed well in certain areas of the routine, we missed several kicks,” said Coach Julie Baloun.  “Unfortunately, missed kicks equaled a missed opportunity for us.”  

 

Again, the dancers actually scored the highest overall total points, but ended up in fourth place. 

 

“It is frustrating to score the most points and not place in the top three,” Baloun said. “Once again we scored well in the difficulty categories, but because of mistakes, our scores were lower in the areas of degree of accuracy and placement and control. I believe we had a very good chance of winning this competition had we performed our routine cleanly.”

 

The JV jazz and kick teams, while not placing in the top three spots, performed well also. The JV kick team’s scores were inaccurate (confused with another team) and once it is resolved with the Minnesota State High School League, it will result in the team taking the second place spot at this meet.

 

“I was very proud of how the JV jazz team handled their technical difficulties when their music wouldn't play,” said JV Coach Nadia Fischer-Danziesen.  

 

The girls were forced to hold their composure and their spots until the music started, which was delayed. 

 

“This can be nerve wracking when all eyes are on you, but the girls handled this professionally and delivered a solid routine,” said Fischer-Danziesen.  “And I was happy to see that the JV kick team placed first in the category of kick height. They've been working very hard to reach their maximum potential.”

 

Up next for the girls is the Rocori Dance Invitational today (Saturday), then they host a Granite Ridge Conference jazz meet Thursday.