Washington County high school dance teams competed across two days during the Nebraska Cheer & Dance Championships in Grand Island.
The Blair Sparx secured a top-6 finish Feb. 20 before Fort Calhoun earned a fourth-place effort Feb. 21 at the Heartland Event Center.
Pioneers take 4th, 8th
The FCHS dance squad competed twice during the state championships and finished well within the top-half of each of its events.
The Pioneers were fourth out of 17 teams in Class C1 hip hop, producing an 83.65 score tabulated by judges across execution, choreography and more. Coach Miranda Weingaertner's team finished behind only first-place Conestoga (86.1), Omaha Roncalli (84.4) and Louisville (84.38).
“We felt that it was the best performance we had with that dance this season. We danced together, and brought energy throughout the whole dance,” the coach stated.
Fort Calhoun also took eighth out of 18 teams in Class C1 pom. Grand Island Central Catholic won the event with 91.83 points, while the Pioneers totaled 82.93 for their performance.
“Our success has been our work ethic. These girls have filled some big shoes from last year and they never back down from what is asked of them,” Weingaertner stated. “Less than a year ago, half of our team had never done hip hop tricks or danced a pom dance. We have come so far in one season!”
She noted how the team prepares year-round with March clinics next on its schedule. Tryouts for next school year's team are in April.
Blair takes 6th in Class B
Coach Cashell Shonka's Blair Sparx dance team compete in two Class B events in Grand Island, too.
The BHS squad was sixth out of 11 teams in Class B hip hop, producing a 79.43 score. Bennington was first with an 86.48, but the Sparx finished just out of fifth place, which was occupied by Gering.
“We were just behind by 0.2 points,” Shonka stated.
In the pom event, Blair added an 11th-place result out of 19 teams.
“Super tough division,” Shonka stated.
BHS notched a 78.7 score, while first-place Gretna East won with a 90.38.
AHS competes in hip hop
The Arlington dance team earned 16th out of 17 Class C1 teams Feb. 21 during the hip hop event at the Nebraska Championships.
The Eagles earned a 70.9 score for their execution, choreography and more. The effort bested Pierce by 0.3 points.
