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Dance programs at the high school level have evolved. The days when high school danceline was basically a diversion, until the real sports got underway on the court or players reclaimed the field, are history.

Gymnasiums now fill with spectators for whom dance is the sport.

The North Suburban Conference high kick team competition, recently hosted by Chisago Lakes, was an extravaganza of athletic competitors. Squads were executing precision moves, at exhaustive speed, while exuding A+ sportsmanship. Hundreds of girls competed; ranging from the seven-member Columbia Heights High School troupe to the dozens of dancers from schools like Irondale; every program dazzling. The choreographic talent and athleticism shown by the dance teams can leave you with goosebumps just as surely as a wristshot into the net from center ice. Attending a high school dance team meet is a cure for the winter blahs.

High kick squads from 10 North Suburban Conference schools competed at the recent meet in Lindstrom. Locally-- North Branch has a varsity high kick dance team with 16 members and junior varsity and varsity jazz teams with about a dozen more. Chisago Lakes has JV squads and varsity in both jazz and high kick, and membership on both is at 31 girls.

Jazz programs utilize different choreography and dance skills from what's required of the high kick program. Chisago Lakes Coach Karen Barthol said there's overlap with some girls dancing in both, and it depends on the school. At tryouts a dance team hopeful would first makes the high kick team, and can then qualify for the jazz squad, because jazz choreography is complicated and the moves require an advanced skill level.

Barthol, who is a social studies instructor came up to head coach position three years ago from assisting. She said girls must learn one routine at a minimum. They practice and compete in a season that runs from October into February. (State meet is Feb. 18 at the Target Center, Mpls.) Barthold is supported by two assistant coaches Shannon Hejny and Shira Ben-Haim.

The high kick dancers tore up the gym floor at the recent meet in Lindstrom. They rocked the house with bone penetrating music and yes, screaming by fans is allowed. In the common vernacular--these are "interactive" events.

For the three to four minutes of their routines the high kick dancers exploded from the very first note of a recorded selection, and didn't let up. Somehow these dancers breathe and smile at the same time, doing their best to "connect" with the audience and the all important set of conference judges.

In danceline competition a single team member should not standout. Judging is all about a uniformity, consistent appearance, difficulty in pulling off the formations and synchronicity in steps. Packaging the required moves into a symmetrical and memorable routine is where coaches get to tap their creativity, choosing music, costuming and the performance theme.

Barthol says she will ask the girls for ideas in making her music selections but ultimately the routine has to work in within state high school restrictions and competition rules.

Music selections at the Wildcat Meet ranged from the classic funk of Hammer Time, to a medley of Lady Gaga hits and various examples of pop music. (The North Suburban Conference hires a music sound system provider.)

Marie Ray, in her fourth year as North Branch Dance Team Coach, is assisted by Amanda Chouinard. Unlike Barthol Ray is not also an instructor at a school.

Sections to be in North Branch

Ray said the Vikingettes are excited to be hosting the Section 2AA Dance Team Tournament February 12 at North Branch. The action gets underway at 11 a.m. at the high school gym. "We have a very competitive section and the top three teams in kick and jazz advance to state," she added.

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