TEAM NAME:
Marion Dance Team
CLASSES:
IHSA 1A, IDTA double-A
MORE STUFF TO KNOW:
IDTA State routines: AA Kick, AA Pom Dance, AA Lyrical, JV Kick, JV Pom Dance
Coach: Laura Sanders
Conference: South Seven
Where in IL: 18 miles east of SIU Carbondale
Season tidbits: 6th at IHSA sectionals; 15th on Day 1. Varsity has performed their 3 dances a total of 12 times and have hit a state-qualifying score 10 times. JV, likewise, has qualified 7 out of the 9 times they’ve hit the floor in IDTA.
Extra note: Marion has a strong, long-standing kick tradition in competitive dance!
THE SUPER-QUICK INTERVIEW:
What’s it like to perform at such a high level in both IDTA and IHSA?
We just always want to be better than we were the year before. We want our program to grow and improve each season, so we strive to work hard and challenge ourselves to take risks that make us more accomplished dancers.
Was there a point in the fall or early season when you realized you were going to have a great winter?
Senior Captain Shelbi Stout: I knew it was going to be a good season when we started practicing together on the floor when our competitive season started. We looked better in December than we ever have before. Because of that, we were able to begin practicing new, harder skills that really pushed us to be better as a team. Seeing how hard everyone wanted to work really showed us that it was going to be a great season for us.
What are the keys to a good kick routine?
A good kick routine needs to showcase a variety of kicks, preps, and link-ups. That is where a team can demonstrate the difficulty of their routine. Pointed toes, straight legs, engaged core–all of those aspects are important as well! An outstanding kick routine is extremely hard to perform and the skills necessary to do so well are just like any other style of dance. Every genre has elements that can give a routine a WOW factor, so a kick routine is every bit as challenging and impressive as other styles. We always want the crowd to have fun watching our routines!
Fave dance style to perform?
We really like a good kick routine–even during football season, we love to perform kick on the field. We also love the pom and lyrical categories.
Other teams you’re fans of?
We love cheering for our dance friends at Murphysboro and Benton! Jacksonville has a great program as does Highland. We love watching every team perform!
Favorite moments of the season up to this point?
Senior captain Cassidy Absher: My favorite moment of the season was walking off the floor at the Marion regional competition. It was a packed gym, and we knew we had just killed our kick routine because the crowd really enjoyed it.
ILLINOIS DANCERS
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]
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