UPDATES
FRIDAY 1/10/2020:
It’s once again time for dance teams in the southern third of IL to rock the stage at Marion! I’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating: besides the Chicago and St. Louis areas, southern Illinois is the next biggest hotbed of dance in our state. Marion’s a long-running, distinguished, and highly decorated program…there’s a clear culture of success on an annual basis.
First, we have to give a shout out to teams traveling quite a ways to get to Marion–teams like Marquette, Mascoutah, and Althoff Catholic will journey from the St. Louis area, and with a lot at stake. Wesclin is all alone in single-A pom, but that’s their jam, and you’ve seen their pom work on the IHSA state stage before. Single-A lyrical has a wonderful set of teams who thrive on that style: Althoff, Nashville, and Marquette. Fans will get to watch more “A” drama in hip hop, where specialists Dupo and Benton face off, joined by DuQuoin.
A serious showdown is scheduled after lunch in single-A pom dance, when DuQuoin, Althoff, Pinckneyville, Dupo, Benton, Chester, and Staunton go at it. At least a few of these teams have a nice shot at also getting through IHSA sectionals, and expect to see many of them at IDTA state.
The IHSA category features both routines by Murphysboro, a program that’s hitting new heights this winter. Essentially, the IHSA category on Saturday afternoon at Marion is a preview of the 1A sectional at St. Anthony!
Shifting back to the IDTA rubric, let’s recognize our double-A teams. I’ve already told you about Marion’s stature, and they’ll get to shine on their home floor as they perform their jazz and lyrical. Mascoutah and Murphysboro are also AA teams in IDTA, both being traditionally good jazz programs. Also in AA is Herrin; their flag team gets a lot of attention, but their dance program gets the spotlight when they perform in AA hip hop and pom.
As jazz wraps up on one side of the gym, fans get treated to a kick-fest on the other. It starts with Marion Junior High, whose dancers feed into Marion High School’s esteemed dance program. JV follows with their kick, and then you get the stunning visuals and athleticism of a Marion varsity kick routine!
THE LOWDOWN
LOCATION:
Marion High School. 1700 Wildcat Dr., Marion, IL 62959
TIME:
Saturday, January 11. Routines begin at 9:30, lunch runs from 11:30-12:30, and awards are scheduled for 3:30
TEAM DIVISIONS:
Dance Solos; Flag Solos; Lyrical/Contemporary (AA, A, JV, JH); Jazz (AA, A, JV, JH); Hip Hop (AA, A, JH); Kick (AA, JV, JH); IHSA category; Pom Dance (AA, A, JV, JH); Pom (AA, A, JH); Tall Flags (AA, JH); Lyrical Flag (AA)
ILLINOIS DANCERS
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