North wins state championship for second time in four years

NORTH’S DANCE TEAM includes: (front row, left to right) Brooklyn Brunner, Ava Doherty, Paige Mikkelson, Sylvia Green, Paige Buboltz, ShiLynn Garcia; (middle row) Kylie Schroeder, Aubrey Engels; (back row) Bella Eder, Lilly Hagemeier, Karissa Kramer, Skylar Pokrzywinski, Natalie Pittner, Olivia Michael, Danica Baumann. – Submitted photo

A few North seniors get to begin and end high school as a state champion.

The Golden Raiders recently won the Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Pom Coaches State Championship in hip hop (Division 1), just like they did when seniors Sylvia Green and Kylie Schroeder were freshmen.

“Oh my gosh, it is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced,” Green said. “All the hard work that we put in throughout the season paid off and to know that my season at North started with a bang and ended with a bang is the best feeling I could have.”

Added Schroeder: “Our freshmen year we put in a lot of work and I knew it would take that same amount all four years. But I think with COVID-19, it was more difficult because we didn’t have as many practices and all that. So this year, I know as a team we came together and put in all the work, so it felt so good when we came in first.”

North, coached by Danielle Nelson and Kayla Pittner, finished second at state in 2019 and third in 2020.

“They were very hungry, especially our seniors,” Nelson said. “Last year was done via video because of COVID and they didn’t get that state experience. With our sport, it is very subjective and is up to four judges. Those four judges could love you or they could not like you. It’s not as easy as three strikes you’re out.”

Perhaps that explains North’s second-place showing at regionals this year.

“I think that put a fire under our girls to work really hard,” Nelson said. “That week before state, our routine looked completely different than the week before. These girls, in five days, the amount of work they put in. They had two-a-days, they had 5 a.m. practices and then afternoon practices, practices in the hotel before we even went out on the state floor.

The work ethic in this group of 15 girls, I don’t think I could have done it that way when I was in high school.”