With only about two months of practice under their belts, the Powell High School dance team placed fifth in the jazz dance competition at the 3A State Spirit competition in Casper on March 1.

“I think they came along well for the few weeks they had for preparing for state,” said head coach Victoria Danovsky.

The dance team started practice after Christmas break, in the beginning of January.

“We had a great year, great team of girls all together as a whole,” said Danovsky.

It has been about three years since Powell High School has had a dance team; in order to be able to compete at state, the dance team must have at least six members.

This year’s PHS dance team was comprised of eight members: Kailey Jurado, Alex Nicholson, Kelly Pappenfort, Rylee Ramsey, Madyson Riedinger, Mackenzie Stearns, Aschten Thomas and Dacean Thomas.

Nicholson and Thomas were the two seniors on the team.

“I know it was a step outside of the box for them to just come out and try dance, but they were super successful,” said Danovsky, adding that it was good to see both seniors come out.

Coach Danovsky choreographed the team’s routine, which was performed on a 47’ X 50’ mat. Brittany Henderson assisted the team on its technique throughout the season, Danovsky said, expressing her thanks.

For dance, there are two styles a team can compete in: jazz and/or hip hop.

In the jazz competition, the routine needs to incorporate stylized dance movements and combinations, formation changes, group work, leaps and turns, according to the WHSAA handbook. Emphasis is placed on proper technical execution, extension, control, body placement and team uniformity, the rules say. Creative choreography and a unique style “will capture audience and judges’ attention,” according to the WHSAA handbook.

A total of six 3A teams competed in the jazz category this year, with Lander taking first.

After getting the late start this year, Danovsky was officially hired as the PHS dance coach by the Park County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees last week.

“Really looking forward to starting next fall,” she said, adding that the team plans “to start in September instead of the actual basketball season.”