Providence Catholic Dance Team Wins State Championship

NEW LENOX, IL —The Providence Catholic High School’s Dancing Celtics took first place in the 1A State Championship, which was contested virtually on March 6.

“Words cannot describe the feeling of this huge accomplishment,” coach Stephanie Coglianese, said in a release. Coglianese has previously led the team to the IHSA state finals four times, made the top 12 twice, and now has won a state championship, the school said.

“We never thought after the ups and downs of the entire season, this would be the outcome. Our competitive season was short. We didn’t place in the top three in each competition, but we didn’t let this push us down. We used it as motivation to make each practice count. We wanted to execute a routine that was clean, rewarding, and showcased all of the girls in the best light.”

Competitive dance became a sanctioned sport within the IHSA in the 2012-13 school year. Before that, Providence Catholic competed within IDTA & TDI competitions, the school said. In 2004 the dance team won its first state championship in the Kick category. When dance became a sanctioned sport, categories became dissolved.

In 2014, the dance team placed third in the IHSA State Finals competition under the direction of Tina Rouch. Coach Stephanie Coglianese took over the program in the 2016-17 school year, according to the school.

“Winning the state championship this year means so much to me because it proved that we overcame all our hardships and pushed the team to our fullest potential. I hope the younger girls use this as motivation for next year to be leaders," senior Payton Ward of Homer Glen said in a release.

This year, the team faced multiple ups and downs throughout the entire season, the school said. The team held virtual tryouts, and began in-person practices over the summer, which were then put on pause in the fall, before starting again in the winter. Social distancing and masks also added to the challenges of practice and competition, as did filming for competition instead of performing live in front of the judges, the school said.

“Winning the state championship was so amazing because we saw how much all of the hard work paid off, and I know as a team, we all truly believe God was with us every step of the way. I hope the younger girls embrace every moment they have together because it really does fly by. Dancing on this team will give you a forever family,” senior Kathryn Hamilton of Orland Park said in a release.

The team worked together to fit a typical 3-month normal competitive season into a 5-week competitive season, the school said. Coach Coglianese attributed this to a strong foundation and a focus on goals and culture.

“Throughout this season, we have experienced so many ups and downs,” senior Olivia Cecola of Bolingbrook said in a release. “From taking a couple of weeks off, only to come back full swing and have to work harder than we ever have to get to the biggest accomplishment possible. I have never been prouder to be part of a team with such amazing girls. I hope the younger girls never take for granted the time they have on this team and continue to work as hard as they have. This dance team is a forever sisterhood.”

The team had a score of 91.34, beating out second-place Highland (90.26) and third-place Joliet Catholic Academy (89.78).

“Winning the state championship made me realize anything is truly possible if you put your heart to it. This team practiced seven days a week and never gave up. I’m so eternally grateful for the Providence Catholic Dance team and all the life-long friends it gave me!” senior Jayden Prince of Lockport said in a release.