Eleven teams competed Saturday, December 13, at Timberline High School for WIAA Dance Team District berths. Teams competed in a variety of dance categories, including Pom, Hip Hop, Dance, Kick and Military. The competition also featured junior dances with two Tumwater teams.
Local teams included all three of the Lacey high school teams from North Thurston School District, Timberline, North Thurston and River Ridge. Tumwater and A.G. West Black Hills had teams competing along with the West Olympia team of girls from Capital High School.
Timberline Dance head coach Colette Hudson was excited for the chance for her team to compete and for the community to see many local teams. “The competition raises awareness for dance for our community which is great,” stated Hudson.
Tumwater High School coach Kim Hille praised the work by Hudson and Timberline High School. “This event is great for my teams. I get an opportunity to not only bring the JV and varsity teams from Tumwater High, but also my Tumwater Parks and Rec teams,” Hille said. The Parks and Rec teams feature dancers from ages 7 to 14. Registration is currently open for Midway (ages 7–10) and Juniors (Ages 11-14).
Placing first in the Pom category was Capital High School. Mountain View High School from Auburn won the Hip Hop and Kick categories. Tumwater High won the Dance category and Bonney Lake High School took first place in Military.
Capital High School coach Jaci Gruhn loves the opportunity to compete locally. “I think it is such a great competition with so many local performers competing and it will be an exciting day to see where everyone is early in the season,” Gruhn stated. Capital is working hard to return to State to defend the 3A State Championship trophy they won last year. Capital hosts the final district qualifier “Live to Dance” February 29, 2020, on the Westside of Olympia.
