MAPLE GROVE – Maple Grove has advanced to State for the fourth consecutive season, with a solid track record over the past few years. They finished 8th in both 2022 and 2023 and 7th last season. This year, they’re ranked 8th on the Leaderboard, with just a fraction of a point separating them from 7th. The team could make a push for Finals by coming out strong and setting the bar high, showing just how visual and energetic they can make a kick routine. The team last advanced to Finals in 2016, and with the right performance, this could be a breakthrough moment for the program!

EDINA – Edina is making their fourth consecutive appearance at State and is aiming for their third consecutive Finals berth. After finishing 5th last year, they come into the tournament ranked 5th once again. This year’s routine, themed to Deal Or No Deal, is packed with visually striking formations and transitions that will shine when seen from the Target Center’s audience perspective. If they advance to Finals, we could be in for a thrilling performance. Who knows? This could be the program’s first-ever Kick medal. Keep an eye on them as they aim to continue to make program history!

BRAINERD – The defending State Champions advance to State for the twenty-fourth consecutive time. The team has advanced to Finals every season since 2019, and this year is shaping up to be no different. They are currently 2nd on the Leaderboard with an average score of 90.2 – just one point behind the leader. The visuals, groups, levels, and use of floor in this routine are stellar! Every count is utilized from the opening beat to the very last (where there’s even a group turning to end on the last count!). How many different shapes can you spot in their formations? I’ve found a clock and the number 1, among others – cannot wait to see this one on the Target Center stage!

TWO RIVERS – This is the second consecutive season Two Rivers has advanced to State in Kick, and this season they are ranked 10th on the Leaderboard! This routine has EVERYTHING! It’s giving Broadway, and the energy and attack from the athletes really sell it! The “I Want It” section breakdown is iconic and another bit of choreography and staging that’s incredibly effective. Excited to see how this program scores and already eager to see what they bring in 2026!

EASTVIEW – The Lightning Dance Team has made appearances at State every season since 1998, and the team has advanced to Finals each year since 2003. In their duration, they have earned twenty-two medals, including 15 titles. This year, the team is competing with a Black Swan-themed routine that is visually impressive and confidently performed from start to finish. If you haven’t had a chance to catch the routine recently, you’re in for a fun little reveal midway through the dance!

BLAINE – Get ready to get groovy with Blaine’s Kick routine! The sequence leading into straightline is one of my favorites of all the kick routines taking the floor this year! Their routine blends the best aspects of visual dance team from the Chanelist days (the OGs know) with today’s choreographic style. This is Blaine’s fourth consecutive season advancing in Kick, and this year, the team ranks 12th.

HOPKINS – Hopkins advances to State for the second year in a row! This year, the team is dancing to Gotye and Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” This routine is so creative and gives NDTC vibes. I love the use of one song from start to finish with storytelling and contemporary styled movement. The quick hops before the toe touch are a highlight for me. The team enters the tournament ranked 9th with an average score of 80.1.

CENTENNIAL – Centennial brings us back to the early 2000s with a Fergie meets Salt-N-Pepa mashup fitness-themed routine. The dance looked nice and clean in sections, with some snappy kicks. The “up in the gym just workin’ on my fitness” moment is iconic and will be a memorable highlight from this season. Last year, Centennial didn’t qualify for the tournament, but this season, the team ranks 11th with an average score of 71.8.

WAYZATA – Lights. Camera. Wayzata. Wayzata Dance Team delivers an energy-filled kick routine once again that rotates beautifully in and out of each formation with sass and pizazz. The kick transition with the two moving left fans – goals. This is the program’s 14th consecutive season advancing to State, and with the right attack in qualifying, it will be their 14th consecutive Finals appearance. The team currently ranks 6th on the Leaderboard, less than a point from 4th, with an average score of 84.6.

LAKEVILLE NORTH – Lakeville North ranks 4th on the Leaderboard with an average score of 85. The team is competing with a Janet Jackson “Black Cat” themed routine. The choreography really brings out the visual of black cats dancing around the floor, and the team does it with such attack. The “kitty cat meow, meow, meow” section gives me life. Last season, the team finished 4th, and we should see them advancing to Finals Saturday evening. With the right performance in Finals, we could see them taking home their first medal since 2022.

SARTELL – Sartell has advanced to State every season since 2005, and this year they are poised to advance to Finals once again. The team is currently ranked 3rd on the Leaderboard with an in-your-face country girl-themed routine. The “Let’s Go Girls” star is so visual and hits every time. The team holds nothing back each time they take the floor, and you can tell they are hungry for their first AAA medal.

LAKEVILLE SOUTH – Rounding us out from the crazy talented qualifying round is Lakeville South. The elbow gloves make their arms and choreography pop, and it’s only going to shine even more on the Target Center stage. This routine showcases the team’s ability to quickly move around the floor while maintaining a memorable performance. This is the program’s fifth consecutive time advancing to State, and they are seeking their first Finals appearance in three years.