The Becker High School Dazzlers dance team took several of the top spots at the Monticello High School Dance Team Invitational last Saturday. The Dazzlers went up against local teams (Monticello, Big Lake and Buffalo) as well as teams that traveled quite a distance to compete (Pequot Lakes, Bemidji, Albany, Richfield, and Pine City). Melrose was also scheduled to attend but was unable to travel due to weather.
The Dazzlers placed in the top four spots in all varsity and JV events including taking first place in varsity jazz, third place in varsity kick, second place in JV kick and fourth place in JV jazz.
The varsity jazz competition was extremely competitive as several teams were closely matched from top to bottom. Becker earned the top spot based on the judge’s rankings, followed by Pequot Lakes and Monticello.
The Albany dance team, also in the Granite Ridge Conference, took fifth place.
“The athletes performed a very clean routine,” said Head Coach Laura Anderson. “Their technique was strong and the girls did a fantastic job of transitioning from formation to formation. I was very proud of them.”
Anderson said her team continues to modify their routine and add difficulty to increase the required skill level and get better scoring from the judges.
“Making changes also makes the routine continually challenging and we do not want to get complacent with it,” she said. “When the dancers are challenged with new choreography and enjoy performing a routine, they find renewed energy with each competition.”
The varsity kick competition was equally well matched with Becker taking third place behind Albany (first place) and Pequot Lakes (second place). “Albany and Becker have been competing neck-and-neck throughout the season and Albany had a strong performance today,” said Kick Coach Julie Baloun.
The junior varsity team continues to be very competitive, earning second place in JV kick and fourth place in JV jazz.
“This is just the second year that Becker has had a junior varsity dance team and the girls show so much strength in their routines,” said JV Coach Bridget Teigland. “Additional difficulty has recently been added to the jazz choreography and the athletes have done an outstanding job with it”
In lieu of trophies, cakes were awarded to the teams placing in the top three spots for the events so the Becker Dazzlers took home three cakes (and will be eating them too).
Thursday’s four-team meet with Albany, Zimmerman and St. Cloud Cathedral was changed to Monday due to weather issues and the venue is also moved to Zimmerman.
