McFarland dance earns trophy in D4 poms, takes seventh in D2 jazz at state competition

The McFarland dance team wrapped up another strong season at the 2024 State Dance Championships in La Crosse on Saturday, Feb. 3.

After scoring a third-place in D4 poms last year, McFarland had goals of scoring two top-five finishes at the 2024 Championship.

At the championship, the Spartans earned a trophy with a fourth-place finish in D4 poms, and also finished seventh in D2 jazz, nearly scoring a top-five finish.

“We were neck-and-neck with the fifth-place team, and really it came down to one or two points out of 400 which is pretty crazy,” said McFarland co-coach Lexi Ramirez. “Really proud of all of the work the girls put in this year, there’s nothing they can’t do.”

Sarai Krogman, a junior, also individually performed at state as a D2 solo finalist. Krogman sent in a video routine to judges and got announced as a state finalist at the Watertown Regional in January.

“She had really strong finishes at all of the local competitions all season long,” said Ramirez.

After going undefeated throughout the season in D4 poms, McFarland continued its strong season at regionals, taking third in D4 poms and D2 jazz.

“The competition in D4 poms has been growing and growing, so we weren’t exactly sure where we would fall,” said Ramirez. “Our goal was two top-five finishes at regionals, and we came out with two top-three finishes.”

With another top-five finish at state in D4 poms, the Spartans have scored two top-five finishes in back-to-back years after not having a top-five finish since 2008.

“We’re just so proud of the progress they made in the two years since Amber (Schroedl) and I have come back to McFarland,” said Ramirez.

The roster is made up of senior Hanna Rott and juniors Alicia Hartson, Julia Jones, Sarai Krogman, Jossi Stohr, Sofia Touir. The sophomores are Alexis Beinborn, Tala Brummer, Haley DiMartino, Addison Meicher, Grace Poteete and Avi Traktman. Mady Altenberger, Sophie Cronk and Reese Willems are freshmen.

The coaching staff consists of co-coaches Lexi Ramirez and Amber Schroedl. Lily Gallegos and Annie Balthazor are assistant coaches.