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Northfield won the high-kick dance competition, with Paynesville second, Hutchinson third, Farming-ton fourth, and Cannon Falls fifth.

The Pirouettes, with 10 dancers on Saturday, had fewer members on its line than its competitors, but neither that nor the early-morning start to get to Farmington fazed the team, said their coach Becky Hoey.

"The girls danced so well,"ÊHoey explained. "I was so proud of them. They weren't intimidated by the big numbers, and they performed like pros."

At right, Valerie Callenius and Gretchen Fenske demonstrate how high-kick dancing gets its name.

In the next couple weeks, the Pirouettes plan to try a jazz/funk routine, before concentrating on their high-kick routine again for sections. The sectional competition will be held in Montevideo on Saturday, Feb. 16, starting at 8 a.m.

The top four teams at sections advance to state. Last year, the Pirouettes finished fifth, so they need to improve one spot to qualify for state.

"There are five very tough teams to beat," said Hoey, "and only the top four will make it on to state. We will be practicing a lot in the next two weeks, with the hope of moving on!"