BLAINE-In preparation for the section meet, Brainerd showed Saturday it was ready.
Brainerd won the kick competition and finished second in jazz at the Blaine Invite
"We really did particularly well in jazz," said Brainerd head coach Cindy Clough. "We are dancing to such a slow song that it is tough to get all the timing spot on and I felt they did the best they have done all year.
"We went to Blaine to see those in our section. Everyone we needed to get a look at was there other than St. Cloud Tech and Anoka. We have never beat Blaine in jazz, ever, so to do it a week before sections was great. Hopkins won jazz. They have a very strong jazz team and we were close to them. Our kids really improved their turn technique scores. "
Hopkins scored 419 total points and posted a rank score of three. Brainerd tallied 391 total points and a rank point of 8. Blaine, which finished third, posted 387 total points and 9.5 rank points.
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Brainerd scored 398 total points and a rank of 6 to win kick over second-place Hopkins and third-place Blaine. Brainerd's routine effectiveness was two points higher than both Hopkins and Blaine.
"In kick we performed quite well, too," Clough said. "We were thrilled to win the week before sections. We will keep working this week. All of our issues at this point are details. Hooks, tightness, files, strength of moments, sameness and the basics. We are working hard to clean up. This is a fun part in the season as the routine really cleans up the most in two weeks than it does in months prior. They just get to a higher level.
"Or junior varsity winning their kick division was a highlight of their season. They won gold medals. This meet is the culmination of the JV season since it is their last event of the year, since they do not go to sections. It was great for them to end on a high."
Team scores:
Jazz: 1-Hopkins (419 total points, 3 rank points), 2-Brainerd (391, 8), 3-Blaine (387, 9.5, 4-St. Francis (358, 14), 5-Duluth East (359, 16), 6-Rogers (351, 16.5), 7-Champlin Park (343, 22.5), 8-Elk River (337, 23.5), 9-Andover (338, 26), 10-Centennial (318, 30.5), 11-Roseville (321, 31), 12-Osseo (298, 36), 13-Moorhead (270, 40), 14-Fridley (258, 41)
Brainerd results:
Jazz skills: Technique of turns - 39, Technique of Leaps and Jumps - 38, Difficulty of skills - 38
Execution: Placement and control - 40, Degree of Accuracy - 38
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Choreography: Visual effectiveness & creativity - 40, Practicality of Content - 38
Difficulty: Choreography - 40, Combinations - 40
Routine effectiveness: 40
Kick: 1-Brainerd (398 total points, 6 rank points), 2-Hopkins (388, 6), 3-Blaine (385, 7), 4-Elk River (342, 14), 5-Duluth East (332, 17), 6-Rogers (324, 20), 7-Centennial (332, 20), 8-Andover (318, 21), 9-Champlin Park (313, 27.5), 10-St. Francis (309, 28), 11-Fridley (297, 34), 12-Osseo (294, 35), 13-Roseville (289, 37.5), 14-Moorhead (284, 40)
Brainerd results
Kicks: Technique - 40, Height/placement/timing - 40, Difficulty - 37
Execution: Placement/control - 40, Degree of accuracy - 40
Choreography: Visual effectiveness/creativity - 41, practicality of content - 41
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Difficulty: Choreography & combinations - 36, Formations/transitions - 41
Routine effectiveness: 42
