Last weekend's Minnesota high school dance team finals put a spotlight on the sport, but for all the wrong reasons.
In the Class 3A finals, the Faribault Emeralds won the state title for high kick. When it came to the medal ceremony, the five other teams competing in the finals - Wayzata, Eastview, Chaska, Lakeville South and Eden Prairie - protested Faribault's win by not lining up where they were supposed to. Those five teams were disqualified.
The contention of the protesting schools was that Faribault copied their routine and costumes from a Utah dance team, which is a violation of league rules. The Minnesota State High School League investigated the accusation prior to the state finals and found that a violation did not occur. Now the Minnesota State High School League is investigating the actions of the protesting schools at the Class 3A the awards ceremony, which is all too bad for a sport that fought so hard to be recognized by the Minnesota State High School League.
Make no mistake, dance team is a legitimate sport, and like any sport it requires athleticism, hard work and dedication. What is also required is sportsmanship and that was not displayed by the five protesting teams.
Also at issue is the protest appears to have been supported, if not explicitly orchestrated, by the protesting teams' coaches. In a story the following Monday, Brainerd head coach Cindy Clough, who also was critical of Faribault but whose team didn't make the finals, told the Dispatch that coaches met between preliminary rounds and finals on Saturday to talk about a boycott.
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The issue should have been settled when the MSHSL made its ruling prior to the state dance team finals. If concern remains, those issues should be settled in the offseason. Perhaps rules need to be clarified and strengthened.
We also think dance team should follow suit with other sports and drop the use of extravagant costumes, stop using special makeup and wear a uniform with the school's colors. Dance team, in this instance, is a school-sanctioned sporting event not an exhibition. Teams are judged not on costume but choreography and precision.
The bottom line is if you are going to be a sanctioned sport in Minnesota, you must exhibit sportsmanship.
