The Minnesota Association of Dance Teams (MADT) held their annual All-State Dance performances at Shakopee High School March 12 and the Becker Dazzlers dance team had three girls participating. 

 

Coaches from member schools are able to nominate up to four athletes from their team — two in Jazz and two in Kick.

 

Nominated from Becker this year were Mikayla Henkemeyer and Morgan Meyer in Kick and Cienna Pleoger and Melody Swanson in Jazz. Henkemeyer, Pleoger and Meyer were selected to participate.

 

Along with their nomination forms, coaches are required to send in video of each athlete from one of the seasons competitions. A panel of MADT coaches reviews each video and selections are made for each class. 

 

Participating this year was a total of 223 athletes from all over the state of Minnesota.  

 

In Class A there were 29 athletes chosen for the Kick division, while 26 were chosen for Jazz.  

 

In Class AA — which Becker competes — there were 42 chosen for Kick and 38 for Jazz.  

 

In the largest class, AAA, 47 were chosen for Kick and 45 were chosen for Jazz.  

 

“It was awesome to see so many different teams represented,” said Becker Coach Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen. “I thought we were fortunate to have three of our athletes chosen as many teams only had two and a few only one.”

 

Approximately two weeks prior to all- state event, the chosen athletes are sent a video of two routines they must learn. On the morning of the competition, all the athletes from the state are put into formation and they begin to build a routine that they will perform that evening in front of a packed house. 

 

“This is such an outstanding opportunity for our team members,” said Becker Coach Julie Baloun.  “Just a few weeks ago the girls participating from our team were attending the state tournament as spectators. They watched many of these all-state athletes compete and now they find themselves dancing right next to them.” 

 

Baloun says it is such a confidence boost and great validation that hard work has paid off. 

 

“It was a very rich and fulfilling experience,” Baloun said. “Dancing on the floor with all of these amazing dancers in front of such a supportive crowd was so much fun.” 

 

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent the Becker dance team  along with Mikayla and Cienna,” said sophomore Morgan Meyer.

 

This was the second year senior Mikayla Henkemeyer has been selected for All-State.

 

“It's always fun getting to meet dancers from other teams that we don't usually get to see during the season,” she said. “I just feel so lucky that I was able to experience this event my last two years of dance team.”

 

“Overall, I thought everyone did a great job and it was really special to watch our senior dance one last time,” said Fischer-Danzeisen  “Everyone on our team is so happy for our lone senior.” 

 

“All-State is such a great way for her to end her high school dance team career,” said Baloun. “It was also a great opportunity for eighth grader Cienna Pleoger.”

 

Pleoger was thrilled to be a part of this end-of-the-year adventure. 

 

“I thought it was a great experience and hope I will get the chance to go again,” she said. “I thank my coaches for the nomination and congratulate my other teammates who were also selected.”

 

Baloun said the all-state performances are a nice way to end one season and start looking forward to the next. 

 

“I encourage anyone who has not been to an all-state performance to go and watch,” she said.  “It is so fun to see some of the best athletes in this sport performing all together. We are so proud of our athletes!  They represented Becker well and did an awesome job.”

 

The Becker Dazzlers recently completed try-outs for the 2016-2017 season. The team will consist of 28 girls in grades 7-11.