Valentine dance team wins two state championships after season of injuries

VALENTINE, Neb. — The Valentine High School dance team defended its Class C2 Jazz title this season, and added a state championship in Pom despite a year marked by injuries and last-minute changes.

For many of the dancers, the journey has been years in the making.

“A lot of us have been dancing together since we were two,” said junior Katelyn Bitner.

Last year, the team captured its first state championship in school history with a win in C2 Jazz.

“It was definitely on our mind to go out, and win again,” said junior Rylee Wackler.

But that goal appeared to slip further out of reach when one of the six dancers suffered an ACL and meniscus tear during basketball season.

“That felt like we all kind of got kicked in the knee a little bit,” said coach Amy Arganbright.

The team adjusted, reworking formations and relearning a routine built for five dancers. Then, three weeks before state competition, Wackler was sidelined with an injury of her own.

“I then went out only three weeks before state. When that happened, we were kind of on eggshells wondering if I was going to be back,” Wackler said.

About a week before state, the team learned her injury was too severe for her to compete.

“We reblocked again, so we took our routine that started with six and moved it to four,” Arganbright said. “We changed all of the formations, group work, and all the things.”

“Having to change everything was obviously stressful as a team, but I think we all pushed through together,” Bitner said.

“Their confidence really took a blow when we lost those two performers. There were some rough practices that I could tell they didn’t believe in themselves,” Arganbright said.

Although they couldn’t compete, Wackler and the other injured teammate, Addy Stec, remained by the team’s side, even traveling to the state competition.

“Not being there was going to be worse than being there, so I felt like being there and still being a part of the team was important to me and the team,” Wackler said. “Showing that we still cared, and are ready to get back to what we love doing.”

“It was amazing. Their parents came. They showed up,” Arganbright said. “They’re still part of the team whether they’re injured or not. We needed them there. They’re just playing a different role.”

With four dancers performing, Valentine repeated as state champions in Jazz and also claimed the state title in Pom.

“The first time they called our name we were obviously excited, but we were still up there when they called our name the second time, so I don’t think we had time to process it,” Bitner said. “It all kind of set in after we sat back down. Oh my gosh. We just won two state championships.”

Arganbright said the season taught lessons that extend beyond the dance floor.

“Life is always going to throw you curveballs, and you have to sometimes just look it in the eye, and figure out a way to get around it,” Arganbright said.