Lincoln-Way West Dance Teams Off To Successful Season

NEW LENOX, IL — The Lincoln-Way West varsity and junior varsity dance teams have had a strong start to their season. The junior varsity team has earned first place at their first two competitions, while the varsity team has taken home second place and first place from their competitions, varsity coach Melissa Sweeney said.

The dance program at Lincoln-Way West consists of 62 dancers across the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams.

The varsity dance team is coached by Sweeney and Justine Slattery.

The junior varsity team will next compete at Lockport High School Jan. 11 and again at Lockport for the conference championship title Jan. 15, Sweeney said. The junior varsity team has held the conference title for the past two seasons, and the team is coached by Victoria DiNaso.

The varsity team will compete at the same two competitions, and will also compete at sectionals Jan. 25 at Normal Community High School, Sweeney said. The varsity dance team has qualified for the state series every year since the state competition began in 2012.

Sweeney said the top placements at state were in 2015 when the team earned third, and 2017 when the team earned fourth.

"We have been privileged to work with some incredible talent over the years and we have several veteran dancers on our teams. We have high expectations for January," Sweeney said.