Some teams remained on the State Dance floor for a team photo. Some chanted thanks toward their cheering sections. Others hugged and cried. Some even kissed the floor.
That final dance, for six teams in the three classes, is culmination of a season. For some it is a culmination of multiple years of competition, practice and maybe most importantly dedication to a sport, to a team.
For Chaska, seven seniors on the roster, despite not hearing their named called among the three medalist teams in Class AAA kick Feb. 17 at the Target Center, they held their heads high.
They laughed. They smiled. They celebrated.
They were among the final six teams dancing, and that’s always something to be happy about.
“This is just an unreal feeling. To dance this routine one last time with my team,” Chaska senior Danica Rosen said.
“On the floor, the way it’s setup like a bubble, you can hear everyone cheer, and it was amazing to walk off with that support, knowing it was the best we could have danced,” Chaska senior Jenna Rasmussen said.
Both Rosen and Rasmussen were named to the Class AAA State Kick All-Tournament team.
Eastview danced away with its third consecutive and 11th overall crown in Class AAA. In addition to the past three years, the Lightning also won in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Wayzata placed second, one ranking point behind Eastview with eight, while Lakeville North was in third (14.5).
Anoka, the first finalist in either kick or jazz from Section 3 or 4 since 2015, was fourth with a ranking of 18. Chaska won a tie-breaker over Prior Lake with ranking scores of 26 for fifth place.
Chaska was sixth in kick in 2017.
Chaska, state meet qualifiers 14 times over the last nine seasons, has now advanced to the finals in 13 consecutive dances.
“It was bittersweet to experience things one last time,” said Rosen, a three-year varsity member.
“As seniors, helping bring the team up, the growth we’ve had, getting to this point felt amazing,” said Rasmussen, on varsity since freshman year.
Frazee and Sartell-St. Stephen were state kick champions in Class A and AA.
Section 2AAA champion Wayzata was first in the jazz competition Feb. 16. Metro West Conference champion Benilde-St. Margaret won Class AA with Frazee victorious in Class A.
Chaska’s varsity program featured nine freshmen, an eighth grader and four sophomores compared to 10 upperclassmen.
Passing the torch, so to speak, to the next group of dancers was a big part of the senior cry this season.
“Our team has grown so much, and we’re so proud of them. For years to come, it’s going to be great for them. They’ll be back here,” Rosen said.
“They all tell us how much they’re going to miss us, but we’ll miss them, too. I was a freshman once and I had girls that I looked up to, and to be that person for the younger girls this year, it truly was an amazing honor,” Rasmussen said.
As another season comes to a close, the legacy that the dancers and coaches continue to leave grows.
“Being in this culture, it changes your life. For the greater. It’s been an amazing experience,” Rosen said.
“It’s definitely made me who I am today. Dance has given me confidence. And my coaches are just amazing people. For me, seeing the hard work pay off, it’s very inspiring to build me up with my character,” Rasmussen said.
Once a Hawk, always a Hawk.
Leave a Reply