- Members of the Shiocton Dance Team pose with their trophies for first place in Large Varsity Jazz and second place in Small Varsity Pom after competing in the Lightning Bolt Explosion competition at Appleton North High School on Saturday, Jan. 14. – Submitted photo
Shiocton’s varsity dance team accomplished the unthinkable.
The dance team had high expectations going into the Lightning Bolt Explosion competition at Appleton North High School on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Their expectations were to be the first Shiocton dance team to ever place at a competition.
And after weeks of grueling practices and hectic schedules, they got their chance and succeeded, placing first in Large Varsity Jazz and second in Small Varsity Pom.
Shiocton’s dance team took two routines to competition; a pom routine choreographed by Jamee VanStraten and a jazz routine choreographed by Ashley Floss and Mandy Verbsky.
It was a very suspenseful wait during the awards ceremony as the teams and places were called off. Finally, the Shiocton team got the verdict they were waiting for.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. The grand totals were given and Shiocton had been the third highest score out of more than fifty teams.
“I’m really, really proud of this team,” said Harley Krause, a senior and co-captain on the team. “It was a great way to end my senior year.”
Kali Krull, a junior on the team, said, “The team worked really hard for this and I’m so proud of them.”
Coach Jamee VanStraten said her team deserved it what they earned.
“It was a really intense week with two practices a day, and the team really stepped it up,” VanStraten said. “They truly earned and deserved what they accomplished this weekend.”
The dance team will be performing at halftime of Shiocton’s home basketball games every Friday for the remainder of January and all of February.
They also have plans to attend more competitions next season and compete in regionals.
