HJ Sports Blog

By Matt Kane
Sports Editor
DELANO — According to the whispers in the crowd, the Delano dance team put in its best efforts of the season in both the jazz/funk and high kick genres at the Section 3AA meet, but those hometown fans at the Tiger Activity Center weren’t the ones issuing out berths in this weekend’s state meet. That power was held by the judges, who didn’t feel the Tigers did enough to dance at the Target Center.

Delano finished one spot out of a state berth with fourth place in the high kick, and finished fifth in jazz.
“I’m disappointed that we don’t get to experience (state), but, then again, the season, itself, was a great experience,” Delano senior Katie Nelson said.

Tears of disappointment began to flow from the eyes of the Delano dancers when “Marshall” was read by the public address announcer as the third and final state-bound team in high kick.

Despite having a team member fall during its routine, Marshall was judged the section champion in high kick. Also going to Minneapolis are second-place Waconia and third-place Mound-Westonka.

The final points were not immediately available, but it was thought Delano was close to claiming the third and final spot in high kick.

“It was neck-and-neck, I feel. It was close,” Nelson said.

If it were up to the hometown fans and the Delano dancers, the Tigers would be performing at state this week.

“From the fans, I was kind of expecting (to hear Delano), but there was nothing we could do. It depends on the day and the judges,” Delano junior Taylor Converse said.

All Delano could do after it was finished performing was hope.

“I was hoping, but I knew there were some other good teams, too,” said Nelson. “I think it was just the way everyone else preformed, and it was up to the judges. It was out of our hands.”

The jazz results were announced prior to the high kick results. Mound-Westonka won the section championship, and will go to state with second-place Holy Family and third-place Marshall.

Being denied state will hurt for now for the Delano dancers, but they were quick to point out how far they have come since last season.

“Just to know where we were last year compared to this year is enough of an accomplishment in itself,” Nelson.

And the Tigers finished with their best.

“I’m disappointed, but I know we danced our best, and that’s all that counts,” Converse said. “We practiced our butts off this week, and we had a great season. There was nothing more I could have asked for.”

Nothing but a state-meet berth. Converse can ask for that next season, when she is a senior.
Nelson was one of three seniors who danced her last dance at Delano. The other two were Heather Frach and Molly Hutchins.