The Powell High School Panther dance team earned a trophy in its return to the state spirit competition in Casper on Jan. 26, placing second in jazz dance and fifth in a crowded hip-hop competition.

After not competing last year, the Panthers were young and inexperienced in high level competition, with coach Kelsi Koritnik proud of how far the team came this year.

“I was extremely proud of our dancers for placing second in jazz at the state competition,” Koritnik said. “Our team is young in terms of competing at the state level. For them to go to the competition and bring home hardware was very exciting.”

She said that those competing on the team live and breathe dance, practicing for several hours a day whether it be at school or at their dance studios in their free time.

Powell finished with a score of 71.34 in the jazz dance competition, ahead of Lovell in third with a 68.55 but behind state champion Evanston with a 79.03 in the 3A category.

In a crowded competition for hip-hop, the Panthers made their debut in the competition.

“The PHS dance team hasn’t competed in the hip-hop category in the past,”

Koritnik said despite coming up short of a trophy in the hip-hop category that the Panthers had fun competing against other talented teams from around the state.

Powell was fifth with a 68.98, just behind Lander in fourth with a 69.2, as the top three consisted of Lovell in third with a 70, Evanston in second with a 72 and Green River in first with a 74.45.

The Panther dance team got a late start to its season, with Koritnik not taking over the program until September as most start the school year prior in selection around April/May.

“Our season had to move quickly because we got a late start,” Koritnik said. “I was blessed to have such talented girls on the team, so we were able to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. I feel the girls improved their stage presence as they were able to have multiple performances throughout the season. I also saw improvement in their technique such as turns and jumps.”

Out of the seven dancers the Panthers will lose two seniors in Kinsley Braten and Anna Smith, with the team holding tryouts this upcoming April in the hopes of building for next year.

“They will truly be missed, but after our state performance and getting our name out there, I am hopeful that more student-athletes will show interest in the high school dance team,” Koritnik said. “After receiving our score sheets from the judges and watching the other teams at the competition I know what we need to work on for next season.”