Freeport High School held the 3rd annual Salty Showdown on January 4 with a total of 27 teams and 80 competing routines that gave it their all.
“My favorite part was watching the high school and middle school teams support and cheer each other on! I think competing at home and having their friends and family in the audience gave them the extra motivation to do their best!” FHS Dance Team Assistant Coach Melanie Brown said.
This competition was open to any surrounding high school and middle school dance teams. There were IHSA judges and also IDTA judges who judged middle school and high school teams.
With the effort of Sam Warner, the middle dance team coach, Tara Hersey, the high school dance team coach, Brad Pemberton, the FHS Athletic Director, and all of the family and friends who volunteered their time, this competition would not have been possible. There was a lot of behind-the-scenes planning and setting up for this competition, along with responsibilities on the day of.
“Hosting an IDTA dance competition takes more than a gym and a schedule–it takes heart, hustle, and a whole school of volunteers willing to show up. It’s months of planning and ensuring all details are covered. When it’s competition day, our commitment is to give every team an opportunity to shine,” Hersey said.
The FHS Dance Team placed first in IDTA and received a state-qualifying score in the AA Jazz category, and placed 8th in IHSA. The Freeport Middle School dance team placed first in the hip hop category and received a state-qualifying score to attend IDTA State Finals. Both the middle school and high school teams saw improvements in their scores and are excited to attend state together!
“I was very happy to have received a qualifying score for IDTA State, since that has never been done before in my time as a coach,” Brown said.
