ILLINOIS DANCERS
The first-ever 8 Count Audio All-State Dance Team!
3.01.21
Coaches, help us honor dancers around the state during this unprecedented year by nominating 2 of your dancers to our All-State Dance Teams! Open to every single varsity team in Illinois. [more]
3A Stats Page! Sortable by score and team, and almost complete.
2.26.21
Well, almost all. Still some coming in, but here’s a nearly complete picture of 3A scores as we head into sectionals [more]
Stevenson Competition Page (2/21/21)
2.23.21
Complete scores (it was just 3A and JV at this comp)! [more]
Oswego Competition Page (2/11/21)
2.11.21
Who’s up for a Thursday night showdown featuring a mix of central Illinois and Chi-area talent? Schedule, results [more]
Minooka Competition Page (2/6/21)
2.5.21
Illinois high school dance gets back on track with Minooka’s virtual competition! Schedule, results [more]
What We’d Be Doing In A Normal Winter (part 3)
2.2.21
Your whole season narrows down to just one performance on a quiet, tense Saturday in January. It’s the most nerve-racking Saturday that IHSA can dream up: dance sectionals. Step over into an alternate 2021 universe and part 3 of what we’d be doing in a normal winter [more]
How To Mod The Comp Season for Winter-Spring 2021
1.26.21
The calendar wouldn’t be the only big change for a short and delayed competition season. Coaches, judges, and contest hosts will have to juggle many factors to just make the process work. Add in a few innovations and you’ve got yourself not just a salvaged season, but a positive experience of growth [more]
What We’d Be Doing In A Normal January (part 2)
1.21.21
Back to our alternate reality timeline of a normal January. Here’s what you might normally be doing on a weeknight with the rest of your conference [more]
What We’d Be Doing In A Normal January (part 1)
1.14.21
So it’s come to THIS. We take the lazy way out and paint a picture of our alternate reality January, 2021. Actually, it’s just a look back at a normal January’s competition weekend and the Monday after… [more]
2020 Accomplishments: Modified Team Activities
12.31.20
Teams across the state faced a chain of uncertainties throughout 2020 and came out stronger than ever [more]
2020 Accomplishments: Virtual Comps
12.30.20
A team and an organization both made the decision and put in the effort to make their comps virtual — something worth celebrating, no matter how they turn out [more]
December 2021: 8CA’s Dance Uprising #1
A holiday-themed team challenge for the extended offseason [more]
Remember December?
12.18.20
Just a few thoughts on all the things I miss about a typical dance December… [more]
Podcast Ep 12: Coach Alex Strahanoski (Wheaton North), Coaches Jill Roberson and Danielle Latorre and Captains (Sandburg)
7.26.20
What it’s like to take over a major program in the middle of a pandemic and run practices outside in the 3rd warmest summer on record? 3A coach veteran Alex Strahanoski knows, and she’s ready to take the helm of the Falconettes dance program at Wheaton North. For a chat with the Sandburg Eaglettes we tried something new: both coaches and three captains gathered around a phone in their dance room, right after practice! [more]
Podcast Ep 11: Coach Emily Roberts (Elmwood), Coach Alyssa Ortiz (York)
7.05.20
Chasse toward the heart of summer with 2 coaches at the head of high-achieving programs, but with crazy-different circumstances. Hear how Coach Roberts from Elmwood guided her girls to Day 2 at IHSA state with an eye-catching, themed pom routine…all done by athletes with no formal training before joining the team! We also get to know how Coach Ortiz and her York dancers handle the pressures of being a top-tier 3A team, and the roadmap of going from JV to varsity as both a coach and as a team member [more]
Featured Story: Still So Summer (Part 1)
6.19.20
We’re all missing a lot of the usual summer rhythms and traditions, but it’s still so summer! It’s still that time of year when you start to plant the seeds of what might blossom in fall and winter. We’re so proud to unveil our 8CA Technique Sessions! But before talking price and format and what to expect, I wanted to share with you my approach in finding amazing instructors with a really specific set of teaching skills [more]
Podcast Ep 10: Coach Kari Batka (St Charles East) Part 2, Coach Dawn Jovic (Downers Grove South)
6.11.20
Part 2 from STCE DT Coach Batka where she talks about her revamped coaching staff, running virtual tryouts with 54 candidates, and her personal coaching storyline that happens to match the history of our sport in IL! Coach Jovic from the DGS Fillies tells us how her program surged forward this season, and shares her insights on making both pom and jazz look sharp [more]
Podcast Ep 9: Coach Kari Batka (St Charles East) Part 1
5.26.20
Part 1 of our illuminating convo with legendary STC East Coach Kari Batka! Plus a quirky Top 8 List: the hardest transitions to make when you’re on a dance team. And more thoughts on our article about “suspended summer contact days” (more)
Featured Story: Teams Are In A Bewildering Mix Of Situations Right Now
5.21.20
A shout-out to all the teams trying to make it all work right now, and a call for virtual summer contact days [more]
Podcast Ep 8: Coach Alyssa Lohmann (Nashville), Coach Alli Heckman (Jacobs), and Coach Chrissy Amling (Huntley)
5.7.20
Three coaches with lots of state experience sit down for revealing convos with us about crafting routines that fit with their rosters, plus valuable tips on a la seconde turns, hip hop tech, and hosting competitions! [more]
Podcast Ep 7: Coach Carleigh Schimpf (Murphysboro) and Coach Casey Dugan (Libertyville)
4.22.20
Two coaches who once were dancers on the teams they’d eventually coach both share insights on their programs…one breaking through this past season, and the other staying at their elite level but also exploring new territory in their comp routine [more]
Podcast Ep 6: University of Illinois-Chicago Dance Team Coach Lindsey Lococo
4.15.20
What’s it like to run a high-profile college dance team in Chicago? Coach Lindsey Lococo paints a picture of a typical basketball game day for her and her UIC Dancing Flames, along with her approach to choreographing for some of Illinois’ top high school dance teams [more]
Episode 5 of our new podcast: our Top 8 JV teams from this past season, Oak Park-River Forest Coach Carley Tarantino, and Payton College Prep Coach Megan Fuechsl!
4.8.20
Go behind the scenes with a 3A program that took some huge strides during comp season, hear about the uniqueness of a 1A CPS team’s experiences and their genre mashup routine, and find out who’s in our Top 8 of JV teams [more]
Episode 4 of our new podcast: coaching a top 3 team, pom tech and situations, and dancing on a Big 10 team
3.24.20
A top 3 3A coach takes us behind the scenes of her program, a top 3 AAA coach does the same, a 2A coach reveals how she reconstructed her program, and one of our 8CA staffers spills the beans on the game day experience on her dance team [more]
Episode 3 of our new podcast: coaching, tryouts, leaps, and spinning discs
3.13.20
One of 3A’s finest coaches steps down and looks back, an 8CA staffer shares what it’s like to watch a comp and which teams stood out, and more tech tips on jumps and discs [more]
Episode 2 of our new podcast: we got guests
3.06.20
We wrap up our thoughts on IHSA state including a couple top 8 lists, we’ve got notes on what we saw at an Indiana comp, and we chat with a current top 3 coach and an ex-coach who’s got the secret to getting your quads [more]
Episode 1 of our new podcast is up!!!
2.26.20
Catch up with how our 3A champs turned into national champs! We also look at the top 3 in IHSA 3A, the top IDTA finishers, and just begin to scratch the surface of the amazing dance action in Minnesota [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: 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: 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]
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: 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]