Cannon Falls wins fifth high kick state title

MINNEAPOLIS -- Cannon Falls edged Aitkin on a tiebreaker to win its fifth Class A high kick state championship Saturday at the Target Center. The Bomber Dance team emerged victorious because it had more total points, according to assistant coach Erin Hawkinson.

Tight finishes between the two schools is nothing new. Aitkin edged Cannon Falls by a point for the state title a season ago.

Cannon Falls was technically sound in prelims, according to senior Sarah Jensen, and led after the qualify competition; however, Jensen said the presentation and energy was lacking.

In the finals, it all came together as Cannon Falls danced to “Fame.”

“When we’re dancing we can feel how good it is,” senior Jordan Blakeslee said. “We can feel just the atmosphere around us. We know that we nailed it. We know we did really well. When we go out there we just look at each other and we know by what their facial expressions are that we nailed it. And we know we did our absolute best.”

The Bomber Dance Team also was crowned state champion in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Jensen and Blakeslee were named to the all-tournament team.

To read more about the Bomber Dance Team, pick up Wednesday’s paper. Also, check back early in the week to view a video feature about the state tournament.

Lake City

In spite of an injury, Lake City finished sixth in the Class A high kick competition and delivered its best performance in at least six years, according to coach Heather Sell.

Sophomore Katie Wallerich rolled her ankle during the qualify competition. While she was able to complete the routine in prelims, she didn’t dance during the finals. That forced Sell to adjust 14 of the 16 dancers’ spots at some point in the routine for finals.

“The goal was just to go out there, enjoy and have fun,” Sell said. “I would say that the final performance was the best that this team has ever put on in the six years that I’ve coached.”

Lake City seniors Katie Hamilton and Emily Spano were named to the all-tournament team.

Pick up Wednesday’s paper to read more about Lake City.

Tags: dance team, cannon falls, prep, bombers