Forget that it’s closing in on mid-February. Disregard that it’s the eve of section competition with a trip to state on the line.
The Simley High School dance team is still breaking its dance down in practice one count at a time—with or without music—to ensure perfection come Saturday.
And with good reason.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After a two-year absence, the Simley dance team is looking to earn a return trip to state at Saturday’s Section 1AA meet in Albert Lea. When the competition begins at 11 a.m., Simley will once again be pitted against perennial state contenders with only three state spots available in jazz and high kick.
Simley coach Jennifer Steenberg said she think there are five or six teams with state-caliber skills in the section.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Two years ago we got this new section and it’s been kind of crazy,” Steenberg said. “Because there are only three teams going out of our section, somebody’s not going to be there.”
A year ago, all three of Section 1AA’s teams in both jazz and high kick advanced to the finals as the top six teams at the state meet.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s took state runner-up in jazz, and the Academy of Holy Angels did the same in high kick—both Section 1AA products.
The Simley team was the odd group out, though not by much. Simley finished fourth in jazz, and this year they expect to make it to the Target Center in both events.
“We’re just trying to have fun,” senior co-captain Lexi Noel said. “If we do that, we’ll be fine—if we don’t let our nerves get to us. It’s not about how good we can perform anymore. It’s just about having fun out there.”
So Simley continues to drill, and Steenberg continues to iron out every little kink in the team’s performance. After practicing six days a week and continuously motivating one another in the practice room, junior co-captain Allison Johnson said the team is ready.
“We’ve been working really hard all year,” Johnson said of the hours spent drilling. “All we need now is energy. We have everything—we just need to keep our energy up.”
Can Simley compete with its high-powered section this time around?
“This year we really have an awesome shot,” Steenberg said. “This team is right where it needs to be.”
Team members can already anticipate the feeling of hearing their names called during the awards ceremony.
“We would cry,” Johnson said, smiling.
“A lot,” Noel added. “A lot of tears.”
Check Inver Grove Heights Patch.com on Sunday for results and photos from the Section 1AA meet