Downers Grove High School Dance Teams Head to State Finals

Both Downers Grove high schools have something to dance about.

The Downers Grove North Athenas and Downers Grove South Fillies will both compete in the IHSA competitive dance state final Friday and Saturday after placing among the top 12 teams at the 3A sectional in Palatine on Jan. 19.

The Fillies finished second in its group behind St. Charles North, with a score of 83.50. The Athenas finished sixth with a score of 75.50.

Both teams are set to perform Saturday evening at the state finals competition.

This year marks the first year competitive dance is recognized as an IHSA sport.

Over the past eight years, the Downers Grove South Fillies have won six state championships through TeamDance Illinois. At a December competition, the school's varsity and junior varsity teams took first in four categories—2A varsity open dance, 3A varsity open pom, JV open dance and JV open pom—to qualify for the TeamDance state championships in March. 

The Downers Grove North Athenas dance team was formed with the mission of contributing to school spirit within the student body, and to achieve high standards of showmanship through competition and entertainment at school and community events. There are 33 girls on the varsity and junior varsity squads, both of which perform at all home basketball and football games, and host dance camps twice per year for elementary and middle school children. 

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