TWO RIVERS – After missing out on the State Jazz tournament in 2024, Two Rivers returns to compete in 2025 as the Section Champion from 3AAA. They’ll kick things off for AAA Jazz with a powerful ballad to Miley Cyrus’s “Angels Like You.” This routine really knows how to travel, using the whole floor in its movement. The team enters the tournament ranked 10th with an average score of 74.7, including an impressive Routine Effectiveness average of 8. You’ll really see the team’s love for the sport shine through in the way they perform it on Friday.

EDINA – Talk about an athletic JAZZ routine! After winning Section 2AAA, Edina enters the competition ranked 3rd on the leaderboard with an energetic routine that’s action-packed from start to finish. The mix of music helps it stand out in AAA, and the way the athletes attack the routine is ferocious. Edina has advanced to State every season since 2015 and has made Finals each year. If the team continues its current trajectory, they could earn the program’s third medal, with previous medals coming in 2019 (2nd) and 2017 (3rd).

SARTELL – Bringing us to our ’90s feels is Sartell, with an angst-driven jazz routine to No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” This team continues to grow each year, and this year’s routine leans further into a nice contemporary-styled movement quality. This will be Sartell’s 23rd consecutive trip to State. Last season, they finished 7th, and this year they’re ranked 6th on the State leaderboard. The dance has been performed with strength and confidence all season, and continuing this tone could help secure them a spot in Finals.

LAKEVILLE SOUTH – The Cougar Dance Team has advanced to State for the fifth consecutive time in Jazz and is ranked 7th on the State leaderboard, with just over a point separating them from 6th. This season, the team is competing with a soulful jazz routine to Benson Boone’s “In the Stars.” The dance features terrific leaps and some nicely visual mirrored moments. The team last advanced to Finals in 2015 – with the right performance, they could find themselves competing there once again.

WAYZATA – The Wayzata Dance Team is set to make its 28th consecutive State Jazz appearance and will be aiming for its 28th straight Finals appearance on Friday. This season, the team is competing with a powerful jazz routine to a cover of “No Woman, No Cry” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The team attacks this dance with pure confidence and athleticism, and their uniform really makes their turns pop. Last season, they claimed the title in AAA. This year, they are ranked 8th on the leaderboard with a score of 82.4. The routine has continued to evolve as the season progresses, and this program is no stranger to competing under pressure. With the right execution, we could see Wayzata advance to Finals.

BRAINERD – The Kixters have earned a spot at State in Jazz for the ninth consecutive time. This season, the team competes to “Cool Kids” by Echosmith. The routine features unique formations and visuals, with the uniform enhancing the storytelling of the “cool kids” theme. It pairs nicely with the musicality during the choreography-forward sections. Since 2022, the team has advanced to Finals, finishing 4th last season. This year, the program is ranked 4th on the leaderboard with an average score of 85.8. The team excels in both Choreography and Routine Effectiveness, each category averaging a strong 9.2. The team is on the hunt for its first Jazz medal. Could this be the year they make program history? We shall find out together on Friday.

CENTENNIAL – Centennial will be bringing a dance to Birdy’s “Wings.” The routine is layered well with group work and contrasting levels, making some visuals really stand out. The team truly commits to their performance, leaving a lasting impression. Centennial returns this year ranked 12th on the leaderboard after missing out on advancing to State last season. This marks the program’s 8th trip to State in the past nine years. Their strongest categories are Choreography (7.6) and Routine Effectiveness (7.8).

BLAINE – Blaine will make its sixth consecutive trip to State this year with a routine to Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous.” The dance is packed from top to bottom with impressive skill combinations that hit every beat of the song. Since 2022, the team has finished each season at State in 10th. This season, they are ranked 11th on the leaderboard. Their strongest scores come from Choreography (7.7) and Routine Effectiveness (7.6).

EASTVIEW – Eastview is set to make its 28th consecutive appearance at State, where, since 2009, they’ve earned a medal. This year, the Lightning are competing to Celine Dion’s “Ne me quitte pas.” Their routine is fluid, with one formation effortlessly flowing into another while continually telling their story. This season, the team is leading the leaderboard with an impressive average score of 92.3, including a standout Routine Effectiveness score averaging 9.7. The team is seeking their eighth jazz title.

HOPKINS – Hopkins is back at State for the second consecutive year, proving once again that roster size isn’t everything when it comes to scoring high. The team performs a theatrical cover of Meredith Brooks’ top song from 1997. This team knows how to cover the entire floor, and you forget they are competing with a roster of just eight athletes. I especially enjoy how they choreographed the last chorus of the song – it’s visually and powerfully executed. Last season, the Royelles finished in 8th place, and this year, they are ranked 9th with a score of 78.5. Their strongest category is Routine Effectiveness, where they are averaging an 8.4.

MAPLE GROVE – The Crimson are making their 24th consecutive appearance at State, aiming for their 24th consecutive Finals appearance. This year, the team has switched things up, trading their usual emotional contemporary style for an upbeat contemporary jazz routine set to Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life.” Opening the routine like a Broadway number, the team delivers musicality from start to finish with visual layering and features that pop up all over the floor, really leveraging their roster. They enter the tournament ranked 2nd on the leaderboard with a lead score of 9.1 in Difficulty. With the right attack, we could see the Crimson battling for their eighth jazz title.

LAKEVILLE NORTH – Lakeville North will close out AAA qualifying with a routine set to Brandi Carlile’s “The Story.” The dance highlights the team’s conditioning, as the choreography moves quickly and visually, all while being performed with confidence and athleticism. This program has been a consistent presence at State since 2016, and they’re looking to build on last season’s success by making it into Finals once again. Currently ranked 5th on the leaderboard with a score of 84.8, they’re just one point away from 4th. Going last in the competition will be helpful for their push to reach the Finals and finish their 2025 season on a high note.