By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Actual competitive dancing returned to the state level this year and Evergreen Park’s dancers couldn’t be happier.
The Mustangs are on the rise, and the team enjoyed its highest state finish by placing sixth in Class 1A in the IHSA state meet held Jan. 28-29 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
COVID-19 didn’t eliminate the state competition in 2021, but the postseason was performed virtually. Dance teams filmed a routine and judges scored the performances via video.
It was better than nothing, but it was better to be back performing live for the hundreds of teams across the state.
Evergreen Park was the highest-placing team in the area and the only team to qualify for the top 12.
Mustangs coach Marion Castillo welcomed the return to near normal near the town of Normal.
“It’s amazing to be back,” Castillo said. “It’s amazing for the girls. We only had two who hit the floor [in 2020] and the rest are new, so this was a great experience for them.”
Evergreen Park opened the opening night’s session posting an 83.24, good for seventh place and easily making the 12-team finals.
Morris was the preliminary-round leader with a 91.60 and won it all the next day with a 91.58. Montini (91.42) and Highland (91.00) also took trophies home.
This is the fourth time the Mustangs have been to the state meet. They finished 30th in 2014, the second year the meet was held.
After missing out on state for a stretch, they were back in 2020 and placed 10th. Last year, they took 21st in the virtual event.
Placing in state three straight years is historic for the Mustangs. It’s no secret how they got there.
“Hard work and dedication,” Castillo said. “They push themselves to their limits.”
Captains of this year’s team are Kristen Smith and Chloe Reed. Other team members are Trinity Jones, Emani Johnson, Jordan Johnson, McKenna Mason, Molly Miller, Jameia Sharp-Brown, Aaliyah Frazier, Zaria Simmons, Asha Lane, Sofia Esquivel, Jacqueline Ordaz, Mikaela Bolden and Rikaya McCoy.
Some state competitors performed to happy music. Some to sad songs. Evergreen Park’s routine, Rise and Fall, was intense and all the dancers wore paint near their right eyes for a unique effect.
“The theme is more of a battle through life,” Castillo said. “Don’t let anything keep you down. When things are not going your way, you rise up. That’s what we teach them.”
Other area schools at state did not make it to the final day.
Nazareth Academy finished 24th in Class 1A with a 73.18 score.
Richards, making its first state appearance, took 22nd in Class 2A with a 78.10.
Lyons Township placed 23rd in Class 3A with an 81.94.
WOW – EPCHS looks way different from when I went there in 1980…. I’m sure the test score are up too