Scene + Heard: Best of the Best Showcase for dance teams

For the Minnesota Star Tribune
January 13, 2017 at 7:35PM
Minnesota State University, Mankato dancers, Kacee Kons, Brittany Kay and Brooklyn Kemmerer check out the 5,000 plus fans as they wait for the Best of the Best Showcase to commence. [ Special to Star Tribune, photo by Matt Blewett, Matte B Photography, matt@mattebphoto.com, January 6, 2017, University of Minnesota Dance Team's Best of the Best Showcase, William's Arena, University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAXO 1002854050 FACE011517 https://www.facebook.com/kacee.kons
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Kacee Kons, Brittany Kay and Brooklyn Kemmerer. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

More than 5,000 spectators packed Williams Arena for the 2017 Best of the Best Showcase, hosted by the University of Minnesota. The event featured 33 performances from regional high school and college dance teams and included a special performance from Goldy Gopher. The showcase not only is a place to see the best dancers under one roof, but also serves as a dress rehearsal for the college teams that will compete at the national level. The University of Minnesota Dance Team has won 16 national titles since 2003. See more photos at startribune.com/style.

Niya Adams, Sonama Lajeunesse, Wajd Suliman and Katie Mrozek of the Kennedy Kolleens Dance Team at the Best of the Best Showcase. [ Special to Star Tribune, photo by Matt Blewett, Matte B Photography, matt@mattebphoto.com, January 6, 2017, University of Minnesota Dance Team's Best of the Best Showcase, William's Arena, University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAXO 1002854050 FACE011517
Niya Adams, Sonama Lajeunesse, Wajd Suliman and Katie Mrozek. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Emma Willey, Faith Petersen, Monisha Terry (front row) are joined by Grace Hanson and Tori Berg (back row) and the Valley City (ND) Hi-Lites Dance Team take in the Best of the Best while in Minneapolis.[ Special to Star Tribune, photo by Matt Blewett, Matte B Photography, matt@mattebphoto.com, January 6, 2017, University of Minnesota Dance Team's Best of the Best Showcase, William's Arena, University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAXO 1002854050 FACE011517
Emma Willey, Faith Petersen and Monisha Terry. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The captains of the Benilde-St. Margaret's Dance Team, Ava Smithmier, Megan Benson, Morgan Hovanec, and Cici Fortney get ready for the Best of the Best Showcase. [ Special to Star Tribune, photo by Matt Blewett, Matte B Photography, matt@mattebphoto.com, January 6, 2017, University of Minnesota Dance Team's Best of the Best Showcase, William's Arena, University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAXO 1002854050 FACE011517 Verified https://www.bsmschool.org/athletics/winter-sports/dance
Ava Smithmier, Megan Benson, Morgan Hovanec, Cici Fortney. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The floor maintenance crew, Vanessa Johnston, Ellen Jones and Cassie Braun help their fellow Gophers at the Best of the Best Showcase. [ Special to Star Tribune, photo by Matt Blewett, Matte B Photography, matt@mattebphoto.com, January 6, 2017, University of Minnesota Dance Team's Best of the Best Showcase, William's Arena, University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAXO 1002854050 FACE011517 http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/vanessa_johnston_847159.html https://www.fa
Vanessa Johnston, Ellen Jones and Cassie Braun. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Edina High School Dance Team Captains, Abby Platteter, Etta Winje and Verena Stockl await the start of the Best of the Best Showcase. [ Special to Star Tribune, photo by Matt Blewett, Matte B Photography, matt@mattebphoto.com, January 6, 2017, University of Minnesota Dance Team's Best of the Best Showcase, William's Arena, University of Minnesota Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAXO 1002854050 FACE011517 http://edinaschools.org/Page/719
Abby Platteter, Etta Winje and Verena Stockl. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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