The Cougar Dancers after winning the Show Division and Grand Champion honors at Liberty.
The Cougar Dancers after winning the Show Division and Grand Champion honors at Liberty.

On March 7, dance teams competed at the final local competitions of the season in preparation for the OSAA State dance and drill championships. Events were hosted at Centennial, Liberty, and Sheldon.

Liberty Competition

The Canby Cougar Dancers earned the top score of the competition (87.53) en route to a first place finish in the Show division. Clackamas was second (85.10). Glencoe (80.17) narrowly topped Sprague (80.03) for third place. Grant (77.80) finished in fifth place. Putnam (72.00) and Parkrose (71.67) rounded out the division.

Scappoose and La Salle Prep went head-to-head for the second time this season. The Scappoose Vision Dancers posted a 78.03 to earn first place. La Salle Prep earned a 69.00 for its performance of “Lifeline.”

Beaverton schools claimed the top three spots in the 6A division. Southridge, debuting its routine “Heartless” earned first place (76.60). Mountainside finished second (74.50) over Sunset’s performance of “Stronger than I’ve Ever Been” (73.73). Reynolds (69.80) and Oregon City (69.30) rounded out the division.

Valley Catholic (85.37) earned the top spot in the 4A-1A division. Astoria finished second (82.00). Banks earned third place (65.67) for its performance of “The Monarch.” Estacada (63.51) finished fourth.

Centennial Metropolitan Dance Festival

Saturday marked the 50th year of the Metropolitan Dance Festival hosted by the Centennial Hi-C’s. The original founders of the Festival included Diane Bigbee, Annie Ellett (longtime and current Hi-C head coach), Karen Floyd, Roe Ann Oberg, and Peggy Schlegel as a way for their teams to have an opportunity to compete. The Festival paved the way for the first State Dance and Drill Competition held in 1974. 

Over the years, the Festival has drawn teams from Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It’s estimated that more than 15,000 team members have performed for packed and supportive audiences. To celebrate this milestone, 50 Hi-C alumni performed at the competition. 

This year’s competition included 13 teams competing in three divisions.

In the 6A division, Lake Oswego (84.87) debuted its piece “Walk on Water” to narrowly take first place over Tigard (84.20). Lincoln, performing its piece “Stand by Me,” finished third (82.97). Fourth and fifth places were very close with Gresham (79.03) narrowly beating Sherwood’s performance of “Haunted” (78.87). Barlow (75.90) finished one point ahead of Centennial (74.90) for sixth place. Century (66.73) and Sandy (58.07) rounded out the division.

Pendleton topped Silverton for first in the 5A division. The Rhythmic Mode posted a score of 81.10; while the Foxes earned a 78.57. Wilsonville was third (75.00). 

Cleveland earned a 76.03 for its performance in the Show division. 

Sheldon Competition Recap

In the 4A division, Philomath (78.43) earned top honors for its performance of “The Climb.” Grant Union earned a 74.67 to finish second followed by Sweet Home (73.83). Woodburn (68.13) finished fourth. 

West Albany (87.47) finished first in a packed 5A division. North Eugene earned second (85.27) for its performance of “Envy.” South Albany (82.97) finished third. Crook County (81.30) narrowly topped Lebanon (81.27) for fourth place. Thurston (74.37) finished sixth followed by Willamette (73.40).

Lakeridge convincedly earned first place (82.53) out of five teams in the 6A division. South Medford (73.13) finished second. West Salem (66.17), Summit (64.20) and McNary (59.33) rounded out the division.

In the Show division host team Sheldon topped West Linn for first place. The Colleens earned an 85.00 for their performance. The Debutants earned a 78.23 for their performance of “Bloom.”

In the middle school club division, Next Step Dance (66.97) topped Sweet Home (66.50) for first place. Thurston finished third (58.47).

Dance teams will compete at the OSAA State Dance and Drill Championships on March 20 (Show and 4A-1A divisions) and March 21 (5A and 6A divisions).