Podcast episodes
What’s the best way to launch episode 1 of the 8CA podcast? After a couple THANK YOUs to the amazing dance teams around the state, we got to chat with 3A champs Stevenson before they left for nationals! We run through the other 3 Illinois teams that danced at DTU nationals alongside our new national champs. Speaking of large trophies, we take a look at the top 3 in 3A from IHSA state (we’re saving 2A and 1A for episode 2). We also take a tour of IDTA and the top finishers from IDTA state! And we throw in a couple quick recommendations for watching Minnesota’s incredible state dance action, too.
Almost 6 weeks later and we’re still in awe of the outstanding teams that took home big trophies in 2A and 1A at IHSA state. I’ve got some interesting notes on what I saw at Indiana’s north regional on Leap Day 2020, which is the final step before their state comp. And this podcast just turned up thanks to our very first guest: Kelsey Kunz, the rookie coach who led Joliet Catholic to a 3rd place finish in 1A! We recap her experiences as a first-year coach on a big-name team, throw the spotlight on their trainer (who apparently has unreal flexibility for a middle-aged dude), and uncover the mystery of whether or not an actual celebrity came to one of their football games. Then we reveal our top 8 list of Day 1 routines that didn’t make it to Day 2. Hmm, another guest? Yup, did it. This time it’s former coach Alli Heckman from Crystal Lake Central talking about her first year away from coaching and her thoughts on the routines she watched, along with a deep dive into the secret to developing legit quads! We explore the philosophical question that keeps you up at night: would you rather have a team with clean triples or somewhat clean quads? We wrap it up by revealing our top 8 Day 2 teams who didn’t get on the podium but were still basically awesome.
ILLINOIS DANCERS
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Belleville East!
2.14.20
Lengthy tradition of dance excellence at Belleville East continues with 2 state bound IDTA routines [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Knoxville!
2.14.20
Knoxville’s kick specialists have had to battle through the season, but they’re headed to Springfield to contend for a single-A kick category championship [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Lyons Township!
2.13.20
These dancers came out on top of several elite programs at their conference comp before taking 2nd at sectionals. LT helps represent the Chicago ‘burbs at IDTA state with a couple top-shelf routines this weekend [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Nashville!
2.13.20
This steadily rising program has now put together a couple nice seasons in a row! The Nashville dancers hit Springfield this weekend with a competitive lyrical and a dominating jazz routine [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Gardner-South Wilmington!
2.13.20
These versatile athletes from the very edge of the Chicago metro area looked great in Bloomington and are now set to compete in single-A pom and jazz at IDTA state [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Murphysboro!
2.13.20
This team’s enjoying a breakout season and are bringing the heat to IDTA state with their jazz and pom dance routines [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Seneca!
2.13.20
They attracted a lot of attention in 1A a couple seasons ago, looked great in Bloomington at IHSA state, and are poised to bring their lyrical talents to IDTA state [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Marion!
2.12.20
Known for their strong kick tradition, Marion frequently packs a punch when it comes to pom and lyrical work. The southern Illinois powerhouse once again graces the IDTA state floor in multiple categories this weekend [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Jacksonville!
2.12.20
Breakout 1A stars in IHSA a couple seasons ago, the J’ettes have been a force in IDTA for years and will show that legacy again this weekend at IDTA state [more]
IDTA State Week Featured Team: Elmwood!
2.12.20
They rocked both days at IHSA state and these pom specialists are back for more at IDTA state this weekend [more]
One more shot to qualify for IDTA state!
2.7.20
Who’s got a little more left in the tank? Teams will go the extra mile to try and qualify for IDTA state in what we’re calling Last Chance Weekend! Here’s a look at the different situations that got them there [more]
STL-area teams go beast mode with IHSA sectional, IDTA qualification implications
1.17.20
Polished, January-level dances face the two rubrics at a huge southwestern IL comp [more]
IDTA state qualification spots up for grabs for central IL teams
1.17.20
Another 2-rubric Saturday for top-tier teams from around the middle of the state [more]
Start time pushed back to NOON!
1.17.20
Snow kidding, this comp is a key to a lot of teams heading into sectionals [more]
Up Next: an oversized schedule and we love it! It’s Huntley!
1.10.20
No scrubs at all in the longest day of dance this season [more]
Up Next: it’s Chicagoland’s classic January comp!
1.10.20
North and NW suburban teams…plus a huge name from the western ‘burbs…are ready to heat things up on a wintry Saturday [more]
Up Next: a rare IHSA-only event outside of the Chi area
1.10.20
One of 1A’s most prestigious programs hosts a fiery selection of teams from around the state [more]
Up Next: 2nd consecutive weekend of dance for eastern and central IL
1.10.20
It’s almost an IHSA sectional preview–2 of them–at this weekend’s IDTA/IHSA clash at Charleston [more]
Up Next: Major teams set to clash at the southern tip of the state
1.10.20
Those IHSA and IDTA rubrics are ready for ya, southern IL teams! [more]
Up Next: Porterettes play host on a wintry Saturday
1.10.20
What was once a shorter comp years ago now boasts a full day of state-worthy teams [more]
Up Next: Sailorettes welcome teams to their end-of-break battle
1.3.20
A couple 3A and a fun assortment of 1A and 2A teams converge on Argo’s unique gym [more]
Up Next: Chi-area teams prep for two state contests
1.3.20
Maine East’s beautiful, old building hosts Chicago area teams dancing under both rubrics [more]
Up Next: east siiiddee!!!! gets the spotlight
1.3.20
Time for Central and East Central IL to shine at VG as winter break wraps up [more]
Up Next: southern IL and STL-area wrap up break
1.3.20
Big day at Belleville East is a major test for both IDTA and IHSA routines [more]
Up Next: day-to-night action in the ‘shire
12.13.19
Mid-December tradition continues at SHS with elite lineup [more]
Up Next: big-name teams meet up at the edge of the Chicago metro
12.13.19
Tasty blend of IHSA / IDTA-focused teams make up the field at Seneca [more]
Up Next: Central IL teams converge on the Peoria area
12.13.19
IDTA / IHSA action heats up in the middle of the state [more]
Up Next: STL’s ready to rumble
12.13.19
Illinois’ southern and St. Louis area teams go at it at the Althoff IDTA comp [more]
Up Next: 3A doin’ work at Dub V
12.13.19
Roll up your sleeves, 3A, ’cause it just got serious [more]
Up Next: Saturday morning showdown at DeKalb
12.13.19
With sectional assignments posted, 1A and 2A teams start the match-up game at DeKalb [more]
Up Next: cozy gym and amazing 2A teams at CL Central’s comp
12.04.19
The floor, the fieldhouse, and the school have tons of vintage character for an amazing group of teams at CLC [more]
Up Next: category awards back for 1 day at an IHSA comp
12.04.19
Amazing gym, category awards, and one of IL’s most popular teams at the GBS comp [more]
Up Next: 3A champs host on Sunday
12.04.19
GW vs LWC, new stuff from LP, and probable excellence from so many others at Naperville North [more]
Up Next: IDTA season launches at GSW
12.04.19
Some prominent IHSA teams join in on the fun at Gardner-South Wilmington [more]
Up Next: a crazy talented split schedule at Minooka
12.04.19
Who needs an IHSA state crystal ball to look into the future when you can just come to the Minooka comp? [more]
Up Next: modern dance, vintage gym, great hosts at Batavia
12.04.19
Chi-area teams from the central and far west suburbs meet up [more]
Up Next: the 2A champs host a huge showdown
12.04.19
Big name teams battle for 2A prestige at Lake Zurich [more]
Up Next: 2A in the morning, 3A and 1A in the pm
11.28.19
Props to these teams for dancing at the end of Thanksgiving weekend [more]
Up Next: an afternoon-only sesh at Deerfield
11.20.19
After your morning at Libertyville, head 11 miles south for part 2 at Deerfield! [more]
Up Next: a morning-only sesh at Libertyville
11.20.19
Preview and fan tips from the host team! [more]
DANCERS EVERYWHERE
Iowa’s state contest: from an IL point of view
1.4.20
Part 1 of our look at Iowa’s dance scene viewed from Illinois [more]
[instagram-feed]