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How the 4 Peoria-area squads fared at the IHSA competitive dance state finals

staff
·2 min read

The Illinois High School Association competitive dance state finals were Jan. 27-28, 2023, at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Four teams from the Peoria area competed among the 90 teams in the three-class event, with preliminaries on Friday and the top 12 schools in each class advancing to finals on Saturday.

Here is a look at each of the teams, including their path to state, full rosters, coaches and how they fared in Bloomington. Morton was the only one of the four teams to advance to the finals, where they finished 12th.

Morton

The Morton High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.
The Morton High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.

  • How they got here: In their first year as a team, the Potters took third in the Class 1A portion of the Washington Sectional last weekend to advance.

  • Dancers: Jayci Arganbright, Keaton Beaty, Bella Esposito, Gabby Hasinger, Addie Hendrick, Gabby Larson, Caitlin Magnuson, Josie Martin, Emily Moore, Campbell Patton, Heleyna Robinson and Izzy Sinclair.

  • Coaches: Head coach Ashley Beyer; assistants Molli Bevill and Sarah Rove Vickerman

  • How they fared: The Potters scored 82.26 to finish ninth of 30 teams in Class 1A preliminaries. They advanced to the finals where they score 78.60 to finish 12th overall.

Washington

The Washington High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.
The Washington High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.

  • How they got there: The Panthers finished fourth in the Class 2A portion of the Washington Sectional last weekend.

  • Dancers: Emma Beebe, Natalie Blackwell, Lily Beck, Ava Bulfer, Izzy Garrison, Addison Heider, Alyx Heinrich, Taylor Huett, Bella Limas, Sophia Mescher, Sydney Milestone, Ellie Redlingshafer, Grace Reed, Cecelia Sandberg, Carinne Tarkowski, Kara Tiesman, Claire Uftring and Adison Walker.

  • Coaches: Varsity head coach Lauren Metz; varsity assistant Brittany Hofer; JV head coach Josie Wudtke; JV assistant Sammi Alstott.

  • How they fared: The Panthers scored 79.1 points, finishing 27th of 30 teams in Class 2A. They did not advance to the finals.

Eureka

The Eureka High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.
The Eureka High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.

  • How they got here: The Hornets finished sixth in the Class 1A portion of the Washington Sectional last weekend to advance. They also made state last season.

  • Dancers: Lexi Challacombe, Emma Donavan, Molly Gossmeyer, Teegan Hobbs, Kenna Kean, Morgan Linder, Alli Wetzler and Hannah Worthen

  • Coaches: Head coach Rebecca Hack and volunteer assistants Ashleigh Hadfield, Bri Wetzler, Madisyn Hack, and Ila Bachler.

  • How they fared: The Hornets scored 70.17 points, finishing 29th of 30 teams in Class 1A. They did not advance to the finals.

Fieldcrest

The Fieldcrest High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.
The Fieldcrest High School competitive dance team is headed to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Bloomington in January 2023.

  • How they got here: The Knights finished fourth in the Class 1A portion of the Washington Sectional to advance.

  • Dancers: Lilly Baker, Bella Fortner, Morgan Gerdes, Alannah Halley, Emma Martyn, Kayla Tutko, Emmie Wells, Allie Wiesenhofer

  • Coaches: Head coach Tina Fortner, manager Mia Kloske, assistant Natalie Fortner

  • How they fared: The Knights scored 72.44 points, finishing 24th of 30 teams in Class 1A. They did not advance to the finals.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA competitive dance: Meet teams from Peoria in IL state finals