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The seventh annual IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals return to Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday, January 25-26.
Friday’s prelims will feature 90 total teams (30 per class) and the Top 12 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 30-day subscription.
In partnership with Special Olympics Illinois, the IHSA will also debut Unified performances during Saturday’s Finals. Three teams will take part in the inaugural event, with Maine South scheduled to perform at 12:10 PM, followed by Metea Valley and Peotone.
For more info on the rules and regulations of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals, check out our dance primer from the inaugural event in 2013.
Qualifier information and previews for each class are posted below:
CLASS 1A
First-Time Qualifiers: 3 (Burlington Central; Eureka; Glenbard South)
Seven-Time Qualifiers: 3 (Aurora Central Catholic; Highland; Morris)
Sectional Champions: Morris (91.37); Joliet Catholic Academy (89.77); Highland (89.00); Villa Grove (88.67); Genoa-Kingston (82.40)
A year ago, Highland edged runner-up Morris by less than a point to claim its third consecutive IHSA Class 1A state title and fourth in program history. Both teams are back in the 2019 field and enter with the momentum of Sectional crowns. Morris has placed second the last three years, but recent history could suggest that Montini is destined for second place. The Lady Broncos have improved one place each of the past three seasons, finishing fifth in 2016, fourth in 2017 and winning their first trophy with a third place finish a year ago. Fellow Sectional winners Villa Grove and Genoa-Kingston each have a trio of Top 10 finishes in their program histories, including Villa Grove’s third-place finish in 2015. Joliet Catholic Academy also won a Sectional crown on Saturday after placing fourth in 2018 as a first-time IHSA state qualifier. Aurora Central Catholic looks for its fifth straight Top 10 finish this weekend, while Clinton (7th) and Tolono Unity (9th) also return after being among the Top 10 in the state a year ago.
CLASS 2A
First-Time Qualifiers: 3 (Kenwood; Willowbrook; Yorkville)
Seven-Time Qualifiers: 7 (Crystal Lake Central; Fenton; Hinsdale South; Libertyville; Lincoln-Way West; Mundelein; Vernon Hills)
Sectional Champions: Deerfield (95.47); Geneva (93.00); Lake Zurich (90.50); Fenton (86.12); Dunlap/Ottawa (tie, 85.43)
Geneva’s reign over Class 2A came to a close a year ago, as Lake Zurich won the state title and prevented the Vikings from winning their fifth straight championship. The state championship was Lake Zurich’s first-ever and the third trophy in program history. Both powers need to be considered among the favorites this weekend, as they each claimed Sectional titles on Saturday. Lake Forest brought home its third trophy a year ago when the Scouts placed third, while Antioch recorded its best finish in school history last year when the Sequoits dance into fourth. Deerfield ended a two-year state qualifying hiatus in impressive fashion, as the Warriors posted the top Sectional score in 2A last Saturday. First-time state qualifier Ottawa shared a Sectional crown with Dunlap, who is making its third straight state trip and hopes to advance to Saturday’s finals for the first time in program history. Fellow Sectional champ Fenton has four Top 10 finishes in its history, including placing third in 2014 and fifth a year ago. Vernon Hills, ninth last year, has placed in the Top 10 in all seven years of the IHSA State Finals. Lincoln-Way West (7th in 2018) is not far behind, having been a Top 10 team the past four seasons, while Sycamore and Wauconda can each stretch their streaks to four Top 10 finishes in a row this weekend.
CLASS 3A
First-Time Qualifiers: None
Seven-Time Qualifiers: 7 (Lake Park; Maine South; Neuqua Valley; Sandburg; South Elgin; Stevenson; York)
Sectional Champions: Stevenson (94.17); Naperville North (93.67); York (93.10); Minooka (92.42); St. Charles East (91.03)
In 2018, York became the second school in the brief history of IHSA State Dance to repeat as state champions in Class 3A, following Maine South, who achieved the feat in 2015 and 2016. Fittingly it was Maine South who nearly prevented the repeat last year, but the Redhawks ultimately went on to finish second. Like York, Stevenson claimed a Sectional title last week, as the Patriots enter the weekend in search of their fourth consecutive state final trophy (2nd in 2016, 1st in 2017, 3rd in 2018). Three of the Class 3A Sectional champions all enter in search of their first trophies in program in history in Minooka (7th in 2018), Naperville North (10th in 2018) and St. Charles East, while 2014 state champion Lake Park has finished fourth the past two years and hopes to return to the podium on Saturday. Andrew will try to continue to build on its recent success, having recorded its best two finishes (9th in 2017, 5th in 2018) in back-to-back seasons. Meanwhile, Bartlett (6th), Huntley (8th) and Mundelein (9th) all return to the state field as well with the experience and confidence of having placed in the Top 10 a year ago.
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TOURNAMENT HISTORY
7th annual State Series
7th year at Grossinger Motors Arena
SITE
Grossinger Motors Arena
Bloomington
Directions
HOST
Bloomington-Normal CVB
BN Sports Commission
SCHEDULE
Prelim Team Order
Finals Team Order
Friday, January 25
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 26
Session 3
11:00 AM - 1A Finals
12:40 PM - 1A Awards
2:00 PM - 2A/3A Finals (rotate between 2A/3A)
3:45 PM - 2A Awards
4:00 PM - 3A Awards
TICKETS
$10 per day
WATCH
All performances available LIVE on the NFHS Network via www.IHSA.tv
RESULTS
Friday Prelim Results
Saturday Final Results
SOCIAL MEDIA
#IHSA on Twitter
Twitter - @IHSAstate
Instagram - @IHSA_IL
Facebook.com/IHSA.IL
Classic IHSA YouTube Video
OFFICIAL STATE FINAL
Gear from Minerva
Photos from VIP
IHSA Program
STATE SUPPORTERS
Country Financial
Wilson Sporting Goods
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
Gatorade
MaxPreps
HISTORY & RECORDS
2019 Sectional Results
Record Book & Past Champions
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