The Minnewaska Area dance teams are set to get the season underway Friday, Dec. 1 at the Minnewaska Area Invitational followed by the Rocori Invitational, Saturday, Dec. 2.

Back to lead the team this year again are coach Tana Ziesmer and assistants, Morgan Blair and Mariah Hetland.  “We are very excited about hosting the first meet of the season at home,” coach Ziesmer said.  “We also have a chance to host the WCC Meet this year which will be great for our program”

The Minnewaska Area Jazz dance team highlighted last season by earning a state berth where it placed 10th in the Class A competition and failed to make the six-team finals.

St. Cloud Cathedral went on to earn the Class A title followed by LQP-DB, YME, Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Crosby-Ironton and Cannon Falls.

The High Kick Team meanwhile, which advanced to state in 2021-22, placed fourth at last year’s Section 4A Tourney to miss out on a second-straight trip to state by one placing.

•  Members of last year’s state-qualifying Jazz team, which placed second at the Section 4A Dance Meet at WDC, were Anna Uecker, Cacee Danielson, Olivia Edmunds, Avarie Uhde, Autumm Hess, Mckenna Uhde, Lexi Jenson, Kia Matt, Alannah Christenson and team manager Jada Chakua.

The dance teams will be competing in Section 2A this season after competing in Section 4A last year.  Section 2A includes ACGC, BBE-Paynesville, Holdingford, Litchfield, Melrose Area, NLS, Osakis and Sauk Centre,  among other schools.

“Another state visit is for sure going to happen this year,” coach Ziesmer said.  “Section 2A is harder than 4A, but we have no thoughts of not making it.  The girls have a fire this year that I haven’t seen in the last few years.  I am excited to see where it takes us.”

•  In 2021-22, the Minnewaska Jazz team placed first and the High Kick team was third at sections to earn state berths.  At state, the Jazz team was seventh and the High Kick team was 10th.

•  The Varsity Jazz roster this year includes Kia Matt, Cacee Danielson, Anna Uecker, Mataya Mix, Avarie Uhde, McKenna Uhde, Autumm Hess, Taylor Dantor, Mesa Kittelson, Lexi Jenson and Lyla Stadtherr, while alternates are Makenna Swalla and Katy Vold and the manager is Xi Li.

The JV Jazz roster includes Tyla Ziesmer, Aubri Suckstorff, Sydney Klassen, Katie Sorenson, Makenna Swalla, Katy Vold and Brianna Erickson, while the B-squad Jazz team includes Mia Troen, Aaliyah Olson, Libby Gulbranson, Katelyn Hurst, Emily Nelson and Tenley Steinhofer and the manager is Rylie Molloy.

•  The Varsity High Kick roster for 2023-24 includes Makenna Swalla, Kia Matt, Cacee Danielson, Anna Uecker, Brianna Erickson, Katy Vold, Katie Sorenson, Mataya Mix, Avarie Uhde, McKenna Uhde, Autumm Hess, Taylor Dantor, Mesa Kittelson, Lexi Jenson and Lyla Stadtherr.  The alternates are Tyla Ziesmer and Aubri Suckstorff and the manager is Xi Li.

Members of the JV Kick team are Tyla Ziesmer, Aubri Suckstorff, Sydney Klassen, Mia Troen, Aaliyah Olson, Libby Gulbranson, Katelyn Hurst, Emily Nelson and Tenley Steinhofer and the manager is Rylie Molloy.

Last year’s highlights

Earning All-Conference for the Jazz team last year were Kia Matt and Cacee Danielson, while Anna Uecker earned honorable mention.

Earning All-Conference in High Kick were Anna Uecker, Kia Matt, Cacee Danielson and Avarie Uhde, while McKenna Uhde earned honorable mention.

•  Earning Most Outstanding Dancer Awards were Cacee Danielson (Varsity Jazz), McKenna Uhde (Varsity Kick), Taylor Dantor (JV Kick), Mataya Mix (JV Jazz) and Aubri Suckstorff (B-squad Jazz).

Varsity Kick awards — Avarie Uhde won the award for Best Kicks, Mesa Kittelson earned the Best Jump award, Katy Vold won the Biggest Cheerleader honor, Autumm Hess won the Most Fierce Dancer honor and McKenna Uhde earned the honor for Most Outstanding Dancer.

Varsity Jazz awards — Kia Matt earned the award for Best Turns, Alannah Christenson won the honor for Best Leaps/Jumps, Kia Matt won the Biggest Cheerleader award, Anna Uecker earned the Most Fierce Dancer honor and Cacee Danielson won the award for Most Outstanding Dancer.

JV Kick awards — Taylor Dantor earned the award for Best Kicks, Jada Leonard won the award for Biggest Cheerleader, Aubri Suckstorff earned the Most Improved Award, Tyla Ziesmer earned the Best Jumps honor, Avarie Uhde earned the Most Fierce Dancer honor and Taylor Dantor also earned the award for Most Outstanding Dancer.

JV Jazz awards — Lyla Stadtherr earned the award for Best Turns, Mesa Kittelson won the honor for Best Leaps/Jumps, Makenna Swalla won the award for Biggest Cheerleader, Katie Sorenson earned the Most Improved Award, Teagan Stark won the Most Fierce Dancer award and Mataya Mix won the Most Outstanding Dancer honor.