LHS Dance Team Makes 6th State Finals Appearance In 8 Seasons

LEMONT, IL — Making its sixth state finals appearance in eight seasons, head coach Beth Purcell’s squad placed 30th at the 2021 IHSA Class 2A Competitive Dance State Finals, which were contested virtually on March 6, the school said in a release. All IHSA State Series competition in Competitive Dance was held virtually during the 2021 season, with teams uploading videos of performances for the judges to evaluate.

Lemont posted a score of 76.16 in state finals competition, which consisted of one round this year.

Lemont advanced to the state finals by placing fourth with a score of 79.37 at the IHSA Geneva Sectional on Feb. 27, according to the school. Batavia (86.77) won the IHSA Sectional, while Hinsdale South (85.03), Riverside-Brookfield (83.83), Benet Academy (78.53) and Oak Forest (77.70) also qualified for state finals competition from Lemont’s sectional. The top six teams from each sectional advance to the IHSA State Finals.

Earlier this season, Lemont won the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title.

Purcell’s team includes seniors Elizabeth Barton, Megan Bechtlofft, Julia Bolin, Kelli Crispo, Angela Fidanzo, Katelyn Parent and Monika Zeglen; juniors Natalia Ciesla, Giselle Glotzbach, Katie Konieczka, Annie Pesavento, Alexa Potaczek, Madeline Sauer, Corrin Smith and Isabella Vitro; sophomores Ella Detres, Jill Ferguson, Hannah Tomala and Kaitlyn Tomala; and freshmen Isabella Canali, Grace Gawenda and Emily Manalli.

Lemont has qualified for the state finals six times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021) since Competitive Dance became an IHSA-sponsored sport during the 2012-13 school year, the school said.