Sports NN SCOREBOARD NN BOYS BASKETBALL ■ Feb. 22 Marian defeated Elgin 51-50 at
home.
March 3-9, 2021
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
26
Dancers hip-hop their way to state Woodstock North team makes it virtually through sectionals By Sandy Kucharski
SPORTS
SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY MARGIE PAFFRATH
Marian’s Luke Giangrego uses fancy footwork against a St. Patrick player Feb. 22.
■ Feb. 24 Woodstock North defeated Johnsburg 81-70. Three players shot varsity career high totals: Justin Ortiz, 20; Christian Soto-Garcia, 17; Gabe Filetti, 14. Cole Brey added 16. ■ Feb. 24 Marian defeated Harvard 59-42. ■ Feb. 25 Woodstock fell to Marengo 76-47. Jack Novelle and Caden Ogle led the Streaks with 11 each, followed by Liam Mickle and Jake Murray with 7 each. ■ Feb. 26 Woodstock North defeated Johnsburg 77-58. ■ Feb. 26 Woodtock fell to Marengo 76-28.
SCOREBOARD PRESENTED BY
815.338.7830
205 E. South St. • Woodstock
With less than a month to prepare, members of the Woodstock North High School dance team set a goal, learned a new routine, and put their best feet forward to enter the Illinois High School Association dance team virtual sectionals Feb. 27. Their hard work paid off when they learned they qualified for state competition. “I’m so proud of these girls,” dance coach Jackie Janke said. “They have such positive attitudes.” In what she described as a supercondensed season, the dance team began in-person practice in early February along with all other winter sports. About the same time, the team learned there would be an opportunity to compete in a virtual sectional competition. With such a short time to learn a routine and get costumes, Janke discussed with team members whether they should even attempt to enter. “We talked as a team, banded together, and decided no matter what happens, Woodstock North dance would represent at sectionals,” she said. The girls learned a totally new routine, choreographed by Janke. Even the style of dance – hip-hop – was new. Impressed by the members’ work ethic, Janke said the team practiced every school day, sometimes late into the evening, and even Saturdays.
INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY VICKY LONG
Woodstock North’s Morgan Kennet, Lauren Howen, Hannah Johnson, and Megan Kelahan perform for virtual sectionals Feb. 22. The team qualified to participate in the state contest. display showmanship – an integral part of dance – without the use of their smiles. “We had to learn to portray emotions through movement,” Janke said.
The virtual experience
The week before the sectional videos were due, the team held three filming days to perform the entire routine, which was captured on video per state specifications. Janke decided they would do three takes of the full routine and the team as a whole would vote on which one to send in for judging. On Feb. 27, the submitted routines were broadcast so all teams could see as well as the judges. Janke hosted a watch party at
school and tried to give the girls as many of the typical contest-day traditions as possible without leaving the school. The top six would advance to state, and WNHS claimed sixth place and a chance to create a new video and vie for a state title on March 6. Win or lose, the dance team will end the official season after the state results are announced. The team has, however, received the green light to perform at the March 9 home basketball game observing senior night. The team also will take the field for the Thunder’s two home football games. This will be the second time in the school’s history that a dance team has qualified for state, the first with coach Janke. The last was in 2013.
COVID challenges
Following IHSA guidelines, the athletes are required to wear masks at all times, including during practices and performances, and distancing must be observed. For dancers, that means masks need to be factored into the costuming and the routines have to be entirely choreographed with the participants at least 6 feet apart at all times. It also requires the athletes to adjust to performing high-speed routines requiring agility with a face covering. They also had to learn how to
Dance team members huddle to watch their recorded performance. The team includes Erin Bigler, Kylie Boal, Geraldine Hernandez, Lauren Howen, Hannah Johnson, Megan Kelahan, Morgan Kennett, Maddie Mank, Claire Miranda, Sam Neff, Hannah Torkelson, and Emily Zepeda.
