Last Sunday on January 9, the Antioch varsity dance team competed in their last invitational competition. The team was up against some of the hardest competition that they have seen this season, but that didn’t stop them from doing their best.

“Libertyville and Sycamore have always been hard competition to us,” junior Alyssa Colpaert said. “With us placing 4th, the rest of the top five teams had no more than two point differences meaning we can do better than we did on Sunday.” 

The team ended up with a score of 89.7 with no deductions and only .07 points away from 3rd place. Crystal Lake Central took 3rd. The team was upset to see such a close score, but know they are not going to let that hold them back, they plan on using it to only make them work harder. This next week’s practice is going to be blood, sweat and tears in hopes to make top six at sectionals for that spot on the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state floor. 

“I feel like when we had to be up at five in the morning we got too much in our heads that we were tired,” freshman Carissa Lozano said. “I know that we as a whole are all capable of placing very well and getting good scores and I think it’s all about the positive mindset that we have to have.”

Whether it’s early in the morning or late at night, the dance team is ready. Sunday was a real close call with the top score at a 91 and Antioch’s at an 89 which shows that they aren’t far from their goals. 

“I have a lot of confidence in us no matter what,” junior Kelsi Sheren said. “This team has always been a dream team and will stay as one as long as we keep working for it. We once went from placing 6th to getting 1st and it can always happen again.

With all luck to the dance team for the next two weeks, make sure to cheer them on at Sectionals on January 25, at Mundelein, and hopefully they will have a date with state on January 31.