CATHEDRAL – Starting us off strong will be Cathedral Dance Team, competing to Rachel Platten’s “Mercy,” begins with a simple piano arrangement that gradually builds into a dynamic chorus. The team has paired their choreography well with the song, showcasing strong technique and impressive jazz skills. This marks the program’s twenty-first appearance at State in Jazz and their fifth consecutive trip since 2021. The Class A Jazz title has belonged to Cathedral each season since they moved into Class A in 2022. Will this year bring a four-peat? Time will tell—but I would be surprised if we don’t see this program advancing to Finals on Friday night.

LAKE CITY – After missing out on advancing to State in Jazz last season, the Lake City Dance Team is back and competing second. Their routine is set to NF’s “Leave Me Alone,” a unique choice that plays to the team’s strengths with stylized choreography that complements the music. The way they utilize the floor showcases their ability to create strong visuals. Lake City currently ranks ninth heading into the tournament, but with another week of conditioning and refinement, we could see their placement improve.

YELLOW MEDICINE EAST – The Silhouettes Jazz routine has graced the State floor every season since 1999, and each time, the team has advanced to Finals. Since 2021, they’ve consistently walked away with a medal, finishing as last year’s runner-up. This season, the team is once again in medal contention with a routine set to Katy Perry’s “Not the End of the World.” I love how they play with the lyrics, especially in the turn combination that “turns it all the way around.” If history is any indicator, we can expect to see this program advancing to Finals and likely earning a podium spot once again.

HAWLEY – If their music choice tells us anything, it’s that the Hawley Dance Team is both complex and cool. Competing to a sped-up version of Taylor Swift’s “The Man,” their routine is packed with high-level skills that showcase their athleticism. This marks the program’s third consecutive trip to State in Jazz. In 2023, they finished 11th, and last season, they achieved a program-best eighth-place finish. This year, they enter the tournament ranked eighth, with their strongest scores in the Choreography and Routine Effectiveness categories. If they continue to refine their execution, they could be knocking on the door to Finals.

CANNON FALLS – The Bomber Dance Team takes the floor with a routine set to Billy Joel’s “Vienna.” Known for earning high marks in Choreography, Cannon Falls has crafted a routine with layered formations and seamless transitions. The team has reached Finals the past three seasons, placing sixth each time. This year, they sit just two points shy of a Finals spot in seventh place heading into State. We saw some timing and execution errors at Sections, but State could be the perfect opportunity for them to peak and secure a fourth consecutive Finals appearance.

HOLDINGFORD – The lyrical jazz trend continues with Holdingford, performing a powerful routine to Celine Dion’s “I Surrender.” This is the program’s fourth trip to State, and last season, they finished just shy of Finals in seventh place. This year, they’ve been holding steady on the leaderboard and currently rank fourth. Their routine is packed with confident movement, and with the right qualifying performance, we could see them make program history with a Finals berth!

MINNEWASKA – After missing out on State Jazz last season, the Minnewaska Dance Team has earned their way back to the big stage. This season, they enter ranked 10th on the leaderboard with a routine set to Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water.” There must be something in the water in Minnewaska, as this marks their fifth State appearance in six seasons. Their Section performance showcased their passion and confidence, and I’m excited to see that energy translate onto the Target Center floor!

CROSBY-IRONTON – Shifting gears from lyrical to high-energy jazz, Crosby-Ironton brings the heat with their routine to Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.” And let me tell you, the Beyoncé section is one I will remember for seasons to come. I LIVE for a choreography moment, and this team delivers with nearly four uninterrupted eight-counts of pure dance—no tricks, just movement—and it is impactful. Last season, they missed Finals, but this year, they enter State ranked fifth, with their highest scores in Choreography and Routine Effectiveness. Their energy and unique style set them apart, and if they bring the same intensity, I believe we’ll see them competing Friday evening.

ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA – This program has qualified for State in Jazz every season since 2007. Since 2018, they’ve consistently reached Finals, placing fourth in both 2023 and 2024. This season, they’ve paired their strong technique with Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave.” The folk-rock sound and powerful instrumentation have allowed them to craft a well-mapped routine, landing them sixth on the leaderboard. Their Execution scores leave some room for growth, but if they can refine those details, they’ll be a strong Finals contender.

LQPV-DB – The Shadows return to State Jazz for the tenth consecutive season, this time dancing to Clinton Kane’s “Fix It to Break It.” This team knows how to stage a jazz routine with powerful choreography, levels, and dynamic formations. I know the song says, “I Need More,” but honestly, they are giving us everything! LQPV-DB enters the tournament at the top of the leaderboard with an average score of 70.7, leading in Skills, Choreography, and Execution. A strong qualifying performance should solidify their status as title contenders.

MONTEVIDEO – The Gold Dusters are making their fourth consecutive State Jazz appearance. Last season, they finished 11th, and this year, they enter with an average score of 57.9, once again placing them 11th on the leaderboard. Their routine, set to NEEDTOBREATHE’s “Brother,” features impressive group work and level changes within their twelve-athlete roster. A clean performance could help them push their scores higher than in previous seasons.

AITKIN – Aitkin returns to the State Jazz Tournament for the first time since 2019, earning their spot with a routine set to Bruno Mars’ “Natalie.” Their routine flows smoothly from formation to formation, proving that even smaller programs can make a big impact on the scoresheet! Focusing on spacing and tightening up their execution this week could help Aitkin improve upon their current average score of 56.6, which ranks them 12th heading into the tournament.