While their competition schedule may run during the winter months, a dance team’s work starts much earlier than that.
Both Chanhassen and Chaska compete with two different teams: jazz and high kick. Jazz elements (turns, leaps and jumps) differ from high kick (30-60 kicks above the waist, or higher) and each team has a unique roster of athletes. A dance athlete typically focuses on dance as their sport. Dance takes place at the collegiate level and Chaska and Chan have had (and have) dancers at the University of Minnesota, some going to nationals.
Each team selects music and choreographs a routine of 2:00-2:30 minutes (jazz) and 2:15-2:45 minutes (high kick) that includes the requisite set/number of elements and dedicatedly practices their routines before the season begins. A panel of judges evaluates a team’s execution/performance on 10 different elements and timing.
On Friday Dec. 20, the Metro West Conference held their championships at Benilde-St. Margaret’s (BSM) High School. Varsity, JV, and B-Team (jazz only) teams from six schools’ teams competed for the championship. While dance teams are evaluated by dedicated and focused judges, each team is enthusiastically cheered on by their fans and noncompeting teammates.
The palpable positive energy rivals the noise at a state tournament. The music is lively and approaches the decibel level of a concert. The judges’ ability to differentiate a team’s dance demonstrates well-trained eyes, as the level of coordination, effort, dexterity, and athleticism was dazzling for all the teams. Add in the color and styling of the costumes and a dance meet makes for an engaging athletic event.
Chanhassen won the B-Team Jazz group and Chaska was second. The finish for JV Jazz was BSM, Chaska and Chanhassen. Varsity Jazz results were BSM, Orono, Chaska and Chanhassen. High Kick JV results were all Carver County with Chaska in first, then Waconia and Chanhassen. Varsity results saw Chaska placing fourth and Chanhassen fifth.
This year’s Chaska’s’ jazz program utilized color blocking with alternating coordinating outfits to add to the creativity of the routine. Overall team varsity results for the meet had Chaska placing third and Chanhassen placing fifth. BSM placed first and was last year’s class AA state champ.
Chaska Coach Kris Rydland was pleased with the team’s conference performance.
“We had our best scores of the year,” Ryland said. “The difference in some of the teams’ scores were just point-tenths of a difference. We’ve a few adjustments to make, but we’re heading into the end of the season looking very good.”
Coach Rydland has been involved with the program for many years and has led Chaska to state championships in Jazz (twice) and Kick (three times).
Eastern Carver County Community Education now offers a program for young people with an interest in dance to learn about the sport and develop their skills. Per their website: “designed for dancers aged 4-12 years old, this program offers an exciting opportunity to learn creative, high-energy jazz, pom, hip hop, and kick routines to perform at district 112 community events. MNYDT (Mini DT) is led by HS coaches and dance team members”.
The Chaska team has an event at home with Waconia on Jan. 4, 2025, and two more invitationals before sectionals. The state meet is on Feb 15, 2025, at Target Center.
