It was an encore performance for Neuqua Valley High School’s varsity dance team, which took first place for the second year in a row Saturday in the 3A division of the Illinois High School Association competitive dance state finals at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.
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“It is such an unexplainable feeling,” said Neuqua senior Kara Shudy, who has been on the school’s dance team for the past four years. “We were starting to get nervous, so we told each other to stay focused, stay calm and be confident. These girls are such hard workers. All we needed to worry about was doing our best.”
Their best proved to be the best in state as well.
“They are ecstatic, they are beside themselves,” Neuqua head coach Sonja Rzeszutko said. “Everyone here is an athlete, and everyone works hard to try to win, but it is really cool that they were able to do this again.”
Also competing in the finals were Waubonsie Valley High School, which placed sixth in the 3A Division, South Elgin High School, which placed third in 3A, and Aurora Central Catholic High School, which placed fourth in the 1A Division.
Neuqua Valley Principal Bob McBride said his team is “a group of dancers and coaches who affirm my optimism in young people,” and they are “dedicated to excellence just for the sake of it.
“They have made poise and success in competitive dance a tradition at Neuqua,” McBride said. “I am proud of their individual skill and talent, but even more proud of their belief in team poise and grace. Team means more to them than individual talents.”
Of the 257 high school dance teams competing throughout the season, 91 teams qualified for the fourth annual state series. Varsity dance teams from Naperville Central, Naperville North and Waubonsie Valley also qualified in the 3A category, while Aurora Central Catholic qualified in the 1A division.
“It is extremely impressive to see the progression of these teams over the past four years,” said Tracie Henry, Illinois High School Association assistant executive director. “They are becoming more and more talented, both athletically and with the artistry involved. It is really amazing.”
After Friday’s preliminary round, Neuqua, Waubonsie and Aurora Central Catholic were among the 30 teams who advanced to the finals on Saturday.
It was Waubonsie Valley’s first time to advance to the finals, and coach Megan Dougherty said she “couldn’t be more proud” of the team’s sixth place finish.
“To be in the top 10 at state was beyond our goal,” Dougherty said. “We told the girls it was their chance to show everyone how much they love the routine, love working hard and how much they love dance. They went out there and gave it everything they had and we are just so proud.”
Waubonsie Valley principal Jason Stipp shared the sentiment.
“I am very proud of our girls and the senior leadership on this team,” Stipp said. “Since finishing eighth at conference, they have refocused, put forth extra effort and put themselves in a position to accomplish their goal in getting to the finals this year. It is not where you start, but how you finish. They have excelled in finishing strong, leaving it all out on the floor.”
Jane Donahue is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.