GRAND FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com)- The Hi-Lites Dance teams came back to town on Saturday night the same way they left on Friday  with an escort of flashing lights and honking horns and a line of fans driving behind them!  The only difference was that they brought some special hardware home with them.

The Varsity team was looking to reclaim their state title in the Hip Hop division after bringing home second place last year. They brought every bit of energy and sass they had to the competition.  The team played off the fans energy and after qualifying for the finals, came back with even more!

Dancing first in the finals, the Hi-Lites set the bar high for the rest of the competition. They were followed in the finals by the Fargo Davies Eagle Elite team, and then the West Fargo Sheyenne Mustangs. After announcing the Mustangs had placed 3rd, the remaining two teams bowed their heads and waited. When Davies was called as the 2nd place team, the Hi-lites crowd erupted in cheers!

Once again the crowd calmed and waited for the official announcement.  Over the loudspeaker we heard  “Your 2018 Large Division Class A State Hip Hop Champions are the Valley City Hi-Lites”.  The team was overcome with emotion.

The JV dancers were awarded 2nd place for their Jazz routine.  This is the highest placing for the JV team at state so far. Each dancer was given a 2nd place medal as well a the team trophy.  The JV team is coached by Amanda Cole and its’ members are:  Julianne Mc Partland, Brooklyn Triebold, Grace Hansen, Tori Berg, Brynn Hagen, Abby Sather, Nita Petersen, Chloe Hatten, Maggie Dockter, Grace Tangen, Brinklyn Johnson, Lilly Kiefert.

The JV and Varsity teams both received a team Academic Scholar Award.

This year the competition changed for the class A Varsity division.  The Class A teams were divided into Large and Small group divisions.  Small groups could not have more than 12 dancers. Large was for teams with 13 or more dancers.  The Hi-Lites Varsity team has 13 dancers and one additional dancer out for the season with an injury.  The Class A Large Division had only 5 teams in Pom and Jazz and an additional team for Hip Hop and Kick. Only

Three places were awarded a trophy due to the small number of teams.   The Hi-Lites Varsity just missed out on the trophys, placing 4th in Pom, Jazz and Kick.  Varsity members are:  Monisha Terry, Faith Petersen, Mara, Thompson, London Dietrich, Jennifer Anderson, Alexa Klein, Madelyn Langemo, Lexi Senf, Maisie Leick, Amber Bruyea, Jayden Hovland, Asia Barnett, Morgan Nelson and Emily Klein and are coached by Megan Gilbertson.

Thursday the Hi-Lites varsity members will head to Florida for the UDA Nationals to compete in Kick and Hip Hop.  They will be preforming their State Championship Hip Hop routine at home at the February 15 Basketball game half time.