BEMIDJI — The Bemidji High School Blue Angels made a triumphant return to their home stage, clinching first place in the jazz category at their first home competition in two years. Performing to Zach Bryan’s emotional song “Something in the Orange,” the team outperformed four rival schools, showcasing their skills and dedication at the BHS Gymnasium on January 27, 2024.
Coach Krista Grover expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It was fun; it’s always fun to compete at home.” The absence of a home meet last season due to a judge shortage made this victory particularly significant for the team. Competing on familiar ground offered the dancers a unique advantage, allowing them to draw energy from a supportive crowd. “They’re always more comfortable on their home floor,” Grover added, highlighting the additional motivation provided by local fans.
In addition to their jazz success, the Blue Angels narrowly missed out on another title in the high kick category, finishing in second place behind Bagley by just 0.5 points. The competition showcased the Blue Angels’ strong performances across categories, with Hawley, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Bagley, and Moorhead trailing in the jazz rankings.
Grover praised her team’s adaptability, particularly noting that they overcame last-minute challenges, including the absence of a sick dancer. “They danced really hard,” she remarked. “They’ve been dancing together for a while.”
The choice of music for their jazz routine posed a challenge for the dancers, as “Something in the Orange” is structured in 6s instead of the more common 8s. Grover explained, “The musicality piece of it is harder, and judges will recognize that and it’ll boost the difficulty scores.”
For their high kick routine, the team opted for a lively mashup of songs by Macklemore, aiming to infuse fun into their performance. Grover noted, “They just wanted to do something fun this year.” The decision paid off, as the dancers brought significant energy to their routines, impressing the audience and judges alike.
The leadership group within the Blue Angels, comprising seniors Josi Volcke and Audrina Leach, juniors Elise Spaeth and McKenzie Benson, and sophomore Brynn Konensfeld, plays a crucial role in selecting songs, costumes, and choreography. Their collaborative efforts will be vital as the team prepares for the upcoming Section 4-3A meet on January 30, 2024, at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
The competition landscape has shifted this year, with Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, and St. Cloud moving out of the section, while Alexandria and Coon Rapids have joined. Grover acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting, “We’re feeling good, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
With only three practices left before the section meet, the team plans to focus on drilling and refining their performances. “We did a lot of our last changes this past week. Now, it’s just clearing it up some more,” Grover concluded, emphasizing the importance of preparation as they aim for a top-three finish to qualify for the state competition on February 14, 2024, at the Target Center.
The excitement surrounding the Blue Angels’ performance marks a promising start to their season, embodying the spirit of teamwork and the joy of competition. As they gear up for the challenges ahead, the camaraderie and determination displayed at their home meet will undoubtedly serve them well.
