Nine seniors, led by captains Ashley Bontjes and Cassie Gardner, are providing much of the leadership for the Brainerd Warrior dance team, which opens Saturday at the Burnsville Invite.
"They're really working so hard," Warriors coach Cindy Clough said. "Our senior leadership has been fantastic. They've really been pushing hard. I couldn't ask for better work ethic right now."
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Dance team
Head coach: Cindy Clough, 39th season
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Assistant coaches: Julie Davidge (9th season), Alexandra Clough (9th), Christina Sanow (9th)
2014-15 Section 4-3A finish: Second in kick, fourth in jazz
2014-15 Class 3A state finish: Seventh in high kick
Captains: Ashley Bontjes, Cassie Gardner
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Forty girls have been practicing since Oct. 19. The Central Lakes Conference season kicks off Tuesday with the CLC meet at St. Cloud Apollo.
"The conference changed its rules last year to compete jazz and kick at the first meet," Clough said, "so we start off pushing hard. It makes the first part of our season really stressful. The girls have learned both and now we are trying to polish them up as well as work on conditioning so we can make it through them.
"We compete at Burnsville this Saturday and will bring out both routines. It's hard as most 3A schools start with one so they are more focused on that one routine where our conference requires both so we have to do both at Burnsville to be ready. We are always glad once they are finished that we know both this early, but getting there is hard."
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This season the Warriors will not be fielding a junior varsity team. They will dance 30 girls in a meet so the other 10 are working to be ready to step in in case of sickness or injury.
"Cassie Gardner sprained her knee (last week) and we're awaiting results from the orthopedic surgeon to see if she will be able to go back in," Clough said.
"Love" will be Brainerd's kick dance theme this season.
"The song is a mix of songs with the word love in them," Clough said. "The music requires a great deal of musicality as there are not strong back beats for the first half. It is a smooth style that is not typical of a Brainerd kick dance. We are happy with our choreography for now.
"I know there will be some updates on certain parts that we want to fix, but for this early in the year we are excited with the routine. Costumes will be red and have a lot of sequins.
For jazz, the Warriors are dancing to the song "Revolution."
"I truly feel it is one of our best jazz dances yet," Clough said. "It mimics more of a college team - lots of visuals and very creative. Hats off to (assistant coach) Ali (Clough) on that as she created most of it."
Cindy Clough said this Warrior team has surprised the coaching staff.
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"The work ethic has been great and the mood is one of camaraderie and spirit," she said. "It makes it fun to go to practice when the team is working so hard and pulling together so early. The seniors are setting a great example."
At Burnsville, jazz starts at 9:30 a.m. Teams competing include Brainerd, New Prague, Rosemount, Duluth East, Eastview, Farmington, Elk River, Burnsville and Lakeville North.
Kick starts at 1 p.m. Brainerd will compete against Lakeville North, Farmington, New Prague, Rosemount, Elk River and Burnsville.
Clough said Burnsville High School is under construction. She said Burnsville is encouraging fans to carpool to the event. Clough said fans will be allowed to park in the Bosch Communications parking lot directly west of the high school as well.
Warriors schedule
Nov. 21, at Burnsville
Nov. 24, CLC at St. Cloud Apollo 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, Winter shows at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
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Dec. 18, CLC Tournament at Sauk Rapids 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 20, at Edina
Jan. 8, at University of Minnesota Best of the Best Show
Jan. 9, at Lakeville
Jan. 15, CLC at Sartell 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 16, at Wayzata
Jan. 23, at Blaine
Jan. 30, Section 4-3A meet at Forest Lake
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Feb. 12-13, Class 3A State Meet at Target Center
Warriors roster
Seniors: Ashley Bontjes (captain), Naomi Bremer, Tarrin Carter, Cassie Gardner (captain), Maura Halverson, Annika Mau, Hannah Nameniuk, Kalie Ylinen, Hannah Anderson (manager)
Juniors: Victoria Blood, Justice Bowers, Alayna Burmeister, Makayla Clough, Avery Davidge, Sharaia Goble, Chloe Hollen, Gracie Ostrowski, Emily Patnode, Ariana Rodahl, Jordan Rudolph, Hannah Rybak
Sophomores: Ashlee Carter, Lora Davis, Davonn Epps, Gemma Hollen, Kalie Jeremiason, Jazzy Logelin, Brooke Peterson, Olivia Sedlachek, Marcy Stout, Taylor Zimmer
Freshman: Lily Aanes, Maycie Berg, Kaysie Carlson, Lauren Crenna, Courtney Eschenbacher, Taylor Madsen, Megan Riley, Olivia Ruhl, Addison Staples, Samantha Steichen, Kathryn Sundquist
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5861. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bertsballpark .
