The Lakes Community High School Dance Team has shifted from halftime performances at Friday night football games to going up against various schools for competition season.

Their goal is to make it to the IHSA State Competition in late January. The girls are off to a great start, winning first place at their first competition of the season at Mundelein High School and second place at their second competition at Lake Zurich High School.  

“It felt kind of scary winning the first competition because it feels like we have a target on our back for the rest of the season,” junior Mya Pfeifer said. “But on the flip side it felt really good knowing that our coaches working us so hard wasn’t for nothing,” Pfeifer said.

Not only have the dances changed since football season, but the entire atmosphere and intensity of practice has been turned up a notch.

“Practices are a lot harder now and the stakes are a lot higher,” Pfeifer said.

The girls are constantly working on technique, stamina and strength, but during competition the girls need to focus on perfecting their routine.

“These practices are vital to our placement and improvement, so there is a lot that we need to get through compared to football season,” sophomore Megan Fish said.

While the team is obviously determined to win competitions and eventually make it down state, they are still concerned about becoming a strong team that can dance as a whole and not just as 26 individuals.

“As a team our main goal is to fully unite and perform as one. Of course we want to get top six at sectionals and possibly top ten at state, but our main concern right now is to improve and bond as a team,” Fish said.

The team is working toward a common goal which should make things fall into place for the Eagle dancers. Their next competition is on Jan. 12 at Wauconda High School.