Grant's dance team earns its first trip to state competition

Four years ago, performers on the Grant High School Dance Team in Fox Lake had one simple goal: Be the first dance team at Grant to qualify for state competition.

Looks like this year's team will need to set a new goal.

After a stellar performance at the regional dance competition in January, the Grant High School Dance team will perform for the state championship at the Class AA dance competition at the Peoria Civic Center on March 8.

"That was one of our goals when we came in as freshman," said senior dancer Amanda Munsen, who helped choreograph the regional-winning routine. "But now that we qualified, we don't want to just show up. We want to win."

Grant coach Vicki Webb said the determined girls varsity team has been working since last spring to learn routines, and since October primarily on the routine they used in the regional competition.

"It's tough for the girls to stay motivated doing the same dance over and over since fall," she said. "But, the girls are great. They are practicing hard, adding new moves and doing things to keep themselves motivated."

Webb said the group took home the first place trophy at the regional competition in January by scoring 85.7 points in their hip hop routine. Webb said schools with 85 points are automatically awarded a state invite.

"Obviously, it's the highest score we've ever had," she said. "Right now, we are trying to keep them motivated and positive and focused on what they have to do. Keep taking in the good and positive vibes and pushing out the bad vibes."

Webb added the difference between this year and past years is the talent on the squad, their love of dancing and their determination to reach higher than ever before.

"I have a really talented group of kids this year who are real excited and motivated to perform well," she said. "They are really working to have the dance team be looked at as a competitive team and dance as a competitive sport, not just an activity. And this state bid could go a long way to helping achieve that."

The season officially starts in spring when girls try out to make the squad. After the selection process is completed, the team enrolls in a summer camp where the dance moves are taught and they learn some of the choreography needed to perform.

From there, they perform at home football and basketball games, as well as take part in competitions while practicing for the state competition.

"The girls are really excited, and they should be, they worked extremely hard to get here," she said. "Now, we are just working hard to put on the best performance we can at state."

Team co-captain Crystal DiCosola said motivation is the key to keeping the team unified toward a common goal.

"This was a huge team effort because everyone worked hard to get to this point," she said. "Everyone is so proud of what they've done, but it's not over yet. We have more to get done."