The Brainerd Warriors dance team showcased their talent at the Prior Lake Invite on January 24, 2024, achieving a remarkable total of 462 points to clinch the kick title. This impressive performance not only secured their victory in the kick category but also highlighted their skill in jazz, where they finished in second place with 450 total points.
In the kick competition, Brainerd distinguished itself by achieving a perfect score of 50 out of 50 for routine effectiveness. The team’s choreography subcategories received scores of 48 and 49, culminating in an overall score of 97 out of 100. Notably, Brainerd outperformed Eastview by 16 points, scoring higher in all subcategories except one.
Brainerd’s head coach, Cindy Clough, expressed pride in the team’s energetic performance. “We really performed well, in terms of energy, tightness, faces, and confidence,” she stated. Clough acknowledged that while the team had a strong showing, they still needed to address a few errors before the upcoming sections.
In the jazz category, Brainerd faced stiff competition from Eastview, which ultimately secured first place with 447 points. Despite scoring higher in routine effectiveness (Brainerd: 49, Eastview: 47), Brainerd’s choreography subcategory scores of 47 and 48 were not enough to overcome Eastview’s scores of 42 and 45. Clough noted that the team did not perform to their fullest potential on that day, attributing it to a missed practice the previous day due to cold weather and a last-minute rush before their performance.
Team Performance Breakdown
The results from the Prior Lake Invite reflect the competitive nature of the event. In the jazz category, the standings were as follows:
1. Eastview: 447 total points, 3 rank points
2. Brainerd: 450 total points, 6 rank points
3. Lakeville North: 416 total points, 9.5 rank points
4. Lakeville South: 404 total points, 13 rank points
5. Prior Lake: 388 total points, 14.5 rank points
6. Rogers: 376 total points, 19 rank points
7. Chanhassen: 368 total points, 20 rank points
8. Apple Valley: 224 total points, 26 rank points
9. Rosemount: 222 total points, 26.5 rank points
10. Rochester Century: 213 total points, 29.5 rank points
In the kick category, the results were as follows:
1. Brainerd: 462 total points, 3 rank points
2. Eastview: 446 total points, 6 rank points
3. Lakeville South: 425 total points, 9.5 rank points
4. Edina: 418 total points, 12.5 rank points
5. Lakeville North: 414 total points, 13.5 rank points
6. Prior Lake: 398 total points, 18.5 rank points
7. Rogers: 387 total points, 21 rank points
8. Chanhassen: 387 total points, 23 rank points
9. Apple Valley: 245 total points, 28 rank points
10. Rosemount: 241 total points, 29 rank points
11. Rochester Century: 225 total points, 33 rank points
Looking ahead, the Brainerd Warriors are set to compete in the Section 4-3A Finals at St. Michael-Albertville on January 30, 2024, where they aim to build on their recent successes. With a strong performance at the Prior Lake Invite, the team is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming competition.
