Warrior Dance Team advances to state

The Brainerd Warrior Dance Team took second place Saturday at the 3AAA section meet at St. Cloud Tech to qualify for state competition.

"We were a bit surprised when second was announced but thrilled to be going to state," said Kixters coach Cindy Clough. "I actually stood there not knowing who first would be. I watched every team and had us as No. 1.

"In some ways, placing second is a blessing as it will really fuel us to work extra hard going into the state meet," Clough said.

The top four teams at the section meet in kick advanced to state. They are Blaine in first place with 6 points; Brainerd was second with 7.5 points; Coon Rapids was third with 12.5 points; and St. Cloud Apollo was fourth with 15 points.

Other places in kick were Tech fifth, Champlin Park sixth, Duluth East seventh; Elk River eighth, Anoka ninth, Moorhead 10th, Bemidji 11th and Forest Lake was 12th.

The Brainerd team did not qualify for state in jazz, finishing in seventh place with 28 points.

The kick competition will begin at noon Friday at the Xcel Center in St. Paul. The 3AAA section will compete at 2:15 p.m. and at 5 p.m. the finalists for this section will be announced.

"Our goal is to control our nerves a little better and perform the way we know we can," said Clough, "With the routine we have, I feel if we execute it we should be able to advance to the final routine."

Only six teams advance to the finals.