The dance team at Cor Jesu Academy took home second place titles in the lyrical jazz and pom categories at this year’s state dance championship, which took place Feb. 27-28. These second place scores allowed them to snag a first place finish in overall awards for the Missouri Dance Team Association’s Division 3.
“The growth and determination of the girls is what has set them up for success this year,” head coach Andrea Manfrede said. “We have very strong dancers. We’re blessed in that way. Our kids are the cream of the crop around the St. Louis area, but they’re very hard-working and very smart.”
Twelve dancers participated in the lyrical jazz category. Manfrede says that their performance involved more storytelling and emotional execution to fit the dance style — lyrical jazz, she says, is more technical-based, with a background in ballet.
The pom routine had 10 participating dancers, all using pom-poms in their choreography. Manfrede describes this style as athletic and fast-paced, requiring both energy and stamina.
When the team found out that they had scored second in both categories, Manfrede says they were initially a little bit disappointed — but when the judges announced that CJA won first overall by cumulative scoring, they “perked up.”
“The announcement of the first place was when the excitement set in,” Manfrede said.
The CJA dance team was also honored for having the highest GPA of the teams in their division, coming in at a 3.82.
As for solo performances, freshman Madison Geiger placed second in the state championship for her lyrical jazz solo. Sophomore Shalie Loerch also had a jazz solo performance, though she did not place in the top 10.
The dance team at CJA is only in its third year, but this marks its third time appearing at state. Last year, the team scored third in lyrical jazz and fifth in pom; they came away with the highest GPA last year, too.
Manfrede attributes some of the team’s improvement over the years to experience at state: knowing what other teams are doing and how to be prepared for the competition. The dance team also practices more than they used to, jumping from seven to 10 hours of practice a week.
“Our team has bonded a little bit more, since now they know each other,” Manfrede said. “That has something to do with it, as well — just leaning on your teammates, being comfortable with your teammates.”
