16 November 2013

Dance Team: Tigers young and eager

Captain Alexis Johnson
The 2013 Tiger Dance Team will feature a new head coach and a varsity roster that doesn't include a single senior.

Lindsay Jensen, a 2007 Farmington High School graduate, takes over the program this winter after serving as varsity assistant coach at her alma mater the past two years.

Jensen, a fifth grade teacher at Riverview Elementary School says she is excited about her new position.

"I want to contribute to the same team that I have been part of for six years," she said.

Not only are there no seniors on the 23-member varsity squad, only five performers are upperclassmen: juniors Alexis Johnson (captain), Maddie Reed (captain), Jacquelyn Smithson, Sarah Gasior and Taylor Huntley.

Other team members include sophomores Amanda Lathrop, Erica Beck, Macy Savisik, Makayla Ford, Morgan Rubin, Courtney Kruse, Maddie LaVictoire, Morgan Felty and Taylor Deplazes; freshmen Kerstin Wetterstrom, Lauren Darrington, Mara Laxdal, Jacquelynn McKinney and Makayla Zinnel and eighth-graders Kaitlyn Whitehill, Abbey Egerstrom, Jenna Gray and Kamryn Stevenson.

"We have 15 returning dancers from last year and eight new ones," Jensen said. "I am anxious to see what the future holds for these athletes at they develop into a strong group, both mentally and physically, in the upcoming years.

"Our goals for this year are to continue to work on individual dance development and skills, have fun and be confident at each performance and competition."

Captain Maddie Reed
Jensen said she didn't necessarily want to define her team's success in specific numbers but rather stressed the concept of season-long improvement.

"Our sport is very subjective but increasing our scores for both jazz and kick would be a success for us," she said. "Success is always giving your best effort.

"I always tell the girls when you walk off the floor you should be able to tell yourself  'I gave everything I had; that was the best I could do'."

Brittany Dahlberg (varsity assistant) and Amanda Sterna (junior varsity) will serve as assistant coaches this winter.

The Tigers open their competitive season Saturday, Nov. 23, with an appearance at the Burnsville Invitational.