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Friday, November 6, 2009

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Dancers learn kicks don't come without a lot of practice

Brainerd High School dance team preview

By JENNIFER STOCKINGER

Staff Writer

The Brainerd Warrior dance team has started its competitive season and its first conference kick competition is scheduled Dec. 1 in Sartell.

Head coach Cindy Clough said the team has been practicing five to six days a week and is busy learning the choreography for the kick and jazz routines.

"Every day has been a roller coaster ride," said Clough. "Some parts of the routines are coming together easily and other parts need to be reworked over and over until we find what we are going for. The dancers have been struggling more with the kick choreography changes."

The Brainerd Warrior dance team members worked Wednesday on their leaps. The team has been practicing five to six days a week, with their first meet set Dec. 1 in Sartell. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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Clough said the number of dancers has dropped slowly over the years and this year is no different. There are 47 dancers this year in junior varsity and varsity. The team had several seniors who graduated last year, but Clough said she believes more girls are not becoming involved in the dance team because they have a "fear of commitment."

Clough said dancers feel that they need to take more dance classes in order to be on the dance team and that is not always the case. Clough said being involved on the kick team is not as huge a time commitment as people perceive.

With a smaller team, Clough said in the beginning of the season dancers will compete at both levels and more of them will swing in and out of the routines.

"Right now we're really not sure what will happen," said Clough. "We're just testing the waters and see what rises to the top.

"Our strength definitely is our work ethic this year. They are working very hard and having fun, which makes it all worth it."

This year Brainerd High School senior Brittney Schubert is the dance team captain.

The kick routine this season is called "Little Black Spiders." Clough said the routine has a creepy, crawly theme that goes with the music and choreography.

Clough said the kick team is working on endurance and quickness. Clough said the routine is rather physical in that the dancers have to move down to the floor and be in a push-up position about 15 times and perform about 50-65 kicks above their waist in less than four minutes.

Clough said the jazz team is doing a new acoustical version of "Eleanor Rigby." Clough said the routine needs to be tight, so dancers are working on tightening up their arm and leg movements. Clough said the dancers are doing well on their jumps and leaps, but need to work on their turns.

The dance team's first appearance will be Nov. 21 at the Just For Kix Holiday Show, which is the team's fundraiser. The dance team's home competition will be Dec. 5 at the high school.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.

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