Local schools win titles at TeamDance

It was an emotional state tournament for members of the St. Charles North High School pom team.

Three weeks after senior Lauren Laman collapsed during practice and later died, her teammates dedicated their state tournament performances Sunday to her -- and emerged with medals in all three events.

The action took place in Peoria, where 1,700 performers from 91 teams competed in the second annual TeamDance Illinois State Championships before a crowd of up to 5,000. There were six dance categories, as well as the tall, short and lyrical flags and winter guard competitions.

St. Charles North won the state title in AAA lyrical dance, while narrowly placing second in dance and third in pom with a routine Laman had choreographed.

"The entire crowd gave us a standing ovation when our name was announced as champions. It was a remarkable ending for a team that's gone through so much," coach Nancy Franson said.

In other action, Palatine High defended its state title in flags, winning tall flag, lyrical flag and the overall flag championship.

Palatine's tall flag routine was a crowd favorite. The squad presented an encore at Monday's recognition assembly at the school.

"The routine was beautifully written," said coach Giselle Hanson. "But it's not enough to just move the flags. You have to combine difficult tosses, with dancing."

In other flag divisions, Lincolnshire's Stevenson High won short flags, while Palatine's Fremd High won for its winter guard program.

At Schaumburg High, the pom team presented the school with its state trophy after winning in AAA division and performed its winning routine at school Monday.

"It was their best performance of the year," said Coach Emily Wydra.

Other first-place winners included Vernon Hills High in AA open dance, Crystal Lake Central in AA poms and Park Ridge's Maine South High in both AAA open dance and kick -- earning that school the title of overall AAA dance champion.

Jacobs High in Algonquin won the AAA hip hop title and tied with Downers Grove South for first place in AAA open pom division.

Joni May with TeamDance Illinois said officials are seeing an increase in technically difficult work and creativity in the use of poms and flags.

"Teams are presenting a greater understanding of the importance of relating the musical composition to the movement and being able to portray the emotional content of the program to the audience," May said. "It is truly becoming the combination of a team sport and an art form."

For a complete listing of finishers, visit teamdanceillinois.org.