Hilners get the Trophy

For the first time this season, the Northfield Hiliners dance team brought home a trophy in both its high kick and jazz dances.

In their jazz dance, the Hiliners tied for fourth, then won the tie-breaker to earn some hardware at the Rochester John Marshall Invitational on Dec. 19.

“The varsity jazz team debuted a new routine they learned in just a few weeks,” said Hiliners’ coach Dana Holden. “The girls were ecstatic to bring home that trophy.”

The tie-breaker win was over the host Rockets’ jazz team. Holden said the team was without two of its captains for the dance. They were out with injuries.

One of them was senior Allie Harmer, who was proud of the team’s effort.

“It was hard for me to watch this competition because of my injury, but those girls made me so proud. They did a great job, and I can’t wait to get back out on the floor with them,” Harmer said.

The Hiliners were also missing jazz coach Liz Rohach, who was attending her sister’s wedding.

Northfield’s junior varsity dance team earned some hardware, taking third in its division.

After a disappointing start in high kick, the Hiliners decided not to attend the Lakeville North Invitational on Dec. 12. Instead, the team focused on practicing its routine for the Rochester John Marshall Invitational.

As a result of their work, they went from getting below average scores at the Missota meet at Prior Lake to average and above average scores at John Marshall. Highest scores came in all three kick categories (technique, height and difficulty), as well as the choreography category of visual effectiveness and creativity, and difficulty of choreography and combinations.

“We had a rough start to the season, and things didn’t necessarily go as planned,” said senior captain Laurel Blanchard. “We formed a varsity kick team (and) used that practice to learn an entirely new dance, new music and all. It was just what the girls needed to feel rejuvenated. These girls have been the picture of teamwork. We all worked hard, came together and rocked our dance. That’s what teamwork is about.”

Senior captain Sheila Behr said it was amazing that the team learned a completely new dance for the John Marshall competition in less than five practices.

“I am so proud of these ladies,” Behr said. “I was impressed by the focus and determination shown by the team to put this dance together so quickly.”

The Hiliners’ choreographers include Behr, Blanchard, Harmer, Emily Maroney, Cristi Norberg, Larissa Vosejpka, Britani Cole, Sonia Berdahl, Halle Dowd and Anna Huber.

The Hiliners are back in action Jan. 9 at the Prior Lake Invitational.

“During winter break we are working on adding layers to the dance with added groups in the choreography and other changes for improvements,” Holden, the coach, said. “We are feeling good, knowing that it’s coming along, and we’re going to get right back to where we started from.”

The First Boys Cheerleading Squad Takes on the Girls

Dance & Cheerleading Trophy news…

The First Boys Cheerleading Squad Takes on the Girls

The DAZL Diamonds Peewee Boyz

Despite teasing and gossip, the boys from the DAZL Diamonds Peewee Boyz cheerleading squad from Middleton, south Leeds, are training to win the championship trophy in the BCA Northern Classics in Blackpool on November 15.

The squad is made up of eight boys who range in age from six to 12. All of the boys are from inner-city deprived areas so they are given this opportunity and their families can join together to raise money for it at the same time.

While they have already taken home a third place trophy at the British Cheerleading Association (BCA) international championships, they boys are still a little intimidated by the girls they will face. One said, ”It can be quite scary actually because girls are more flexible than boys.”