The IHSA’s Competitive Dance State Series rolls into 2015 ready to crown state champions for the third time in history. The inaugural event in 2013 saw three different styles produce state titles in each of the three classes (1A-Lyrical, 2A-Pom, 3A-Kick). The routines continued to blend and progress 2014 en route to a trio of new champions being crowned in Highland (1A), Geneva (2A), and Lake Park (3A).

The third annual edition of the State Finals returns to U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington on Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31. Friday’s prelims will feature 90 total teams (30 per class) and the Top 10 teams in each class based on Friday’s results will move on to perform again in Saturday’s finals.

Every performance this weekend will be streamed live on the NFHS Network via www.IHSA.tv with a subscription or Comcast/Xfinity authentication, while recaps from Saturday’s finals will also be rebroadcast on Comcast Sports Net Chicago on February 14 and 28 (click for times/channel info).

For more info on the rules and regulations of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals, check out our dance primer from 2013.


CLASS 1A
Defending state champion Highland, who was third in 2013, and 2014 runner-up Bishop McNamara both return to the field in 2015 with the momentum of Sectional titles on their sides. Morris, who placed in the Top 10 in Class 2A in 2013 and then fifth a year ago in Class 1A, won a Sectional title this season and is expected to once again be a top challenger. Meanwhile, Genoa-Kingston and Villa Grove, both Sectional champs in 2015, hope to be in title contention come Saturday. If they are, it would mean both programs have advanced from Friday’s prelims to the finals for the first in program history. St. Anthony has placed sixth or better (3rd in 2013, 6th in 2014) in the first two years of the State Series and hopes to bring home its second trophy in 2015, while Mahomet-Seymour had a strong Sectional showing again this season, one year after the Bulldogs placed ninth in the state.


CLASS 2A
Two of the five Class 2A Sectional winners this season did not place in the Top 10 at state a year ago, as Argo and Lincoln-Way West both hope that parity leads to their first trophy in school history. Fenton’s Sectional victory this season was especially significant, as the Bison edged defending state champ Geneva for the Sectional crown, but don’t count Geneva out from becoming the first repeat champion in the tourney’s history. Crystal Lake Central, a 2015 Sectional champion, claimed the inaugural Class 2A state crown in 2013 and recorded another Top 10 finish last year, although crosstown rival and fellow state returnee Crystal Central South edged Central in last year’s state standings, finishing one spot ahead in seventh place. Meanwhile, Libertyville captured the final 2015 Sectional title and appears ready to build on last year’s sixth-place state final finish, while Lincoln-Way West will be joined at state by two of the three other schools in its district, as the Central and North campuses will also compete in Class 2A.


CLASS 3A
Defending state champ Lake Park headlines a list of usual suspects in Class 3A, as all five of this year’s Sectional champions placed in the Top 10 at the state meet last season. Stevenson and Neuqua Valley, both Sectional champions in 2015, have been the most consistent programs in the tournament’s brief history. Stevenson is the only program in the state with two dance trophies (2nd in 2013, 3rd in 2014), while the Wildcats hope to bring home hardware for the first time after placing fourth in each of the first two seasons. Glenbard North and Minooka round out that list, as they placed sixth and tenth, respectively, a year ago, before winning their Sectional competitions last week. Barrington finished second to Stevenson in Sectional action this season and is vying for a second straight trophy after finishing as the Class 3A runner-up last year. Meanwhile, 2013 state champion Maine South was joined by Prospect and Waubonsie Valley in posting strong Sectional scores that they hope turn into berths in Saturday’s finals.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY
3rd annual State Series
3rd year at U.S. Cellular Coliseum


SITE
U.S. Cellular Coliseum (Bloomington)
Directions


SCHEDULE
Prelim Team Order

Finals Team Order


Friday, January 30
Session 1
10:15 AM - 1A Prelims

1:30 PM - 1A Finalists announced

Session 2
3:15 PM - 2A/3A Prelims (rotate between 2A/3A)

7:45 PM - 2A/3A Finalists announced


Saturday, January 31
Session 3
11:00 AM - 1A Finals

12:15 PM - 1A Awards

2:00 PM - 2A/3A Finals (rotate between 2A/3A)

3:45 PM - 2A Awards

4:00 PM - 3A Awards


WATCH
All performances available LIVE on www.IHSA.tv

CSN Chicago Finals Recap Rebroadcast Schedule


RESULTS
Friday Prelim Results

Saturday Final Results


INTERACT
Twitter Coverage:
@IHSAState    #IHSA

Photos

State Final Gear


TICKETS
$10 per day


LISTEN
No audio broadcasts currently scheduled for this event


HISTORY & RECORDS  
2015 Sectional Results

Record Book & Past Champions