Jazzy Cats take third in first-ever state dance appearance

The Louisburg High School Jazzy Cats made their mark in program history on Nov. 21, earning a third-place finish in Class 4A at the State Game Day Spirit Showcase at the Stormont-Vail Events Center in Topeka.

In their first-ever trip to state competition, the Jazzy Cats not only reached the finals but left with some hardware.

Coach Sarah Alexander said the entire experience was meaningful, not only because of the results, but because it was all uncharted territory for the program.

“This was the first time the Jazzy Cats had ever attended state, so the entire experience was brand new for all of us,” Alexander said. “To come home with a state plaque was absolutely incredible. The girls were thrilled just to have the opportunity to compete, and bringing home a plaque made all of their hard work feel truly rewarding. It was such a special moment for the team and a huge milestone for our program.”

Louisburg scored 81.41 in the finals, just enough to edge Holton (81.23) by the slimmest of margins for the final spot on the podium. Ottawa won the state championship with a score of 90.13, while Bishop Miege secured second at 85.77.

The Jazzy Cats’ journey to that third-place finish was far from straightforward. After the preliminary round, Louisburg found itself in fifth place but safely inside the cutoff to qualify for the finals. The team’s strong early showing was highlighted by the second-highest Band Dance score in the entire 4A field—a boost that helped solidify their place among the top six.

The State Game Day format requires athletes to perform three routines—Fight Song, Band Chant, and a Dance Routine—back-to-back with no breaks. Each category must stay under 60 seconds, and the total performance including transitions cannot exceed three minutes. Alexander said the team handled those demands well.

“Overall, their performance was strong, synchronized, and full of energy,” she said. “The girls executed all three with precision, energy, and seamless transitions, which made their performance even more impressive given the tight time constraints.”

Based on practices and their competition prep, Alexander said she felt confident the team would perform well. But at state, the Jazzy Cats elevated their routine even further.

“During their prelims performance, they really kicked it into high gear,” she said. “Going into finals, we didn’t know exactly where we were sitting, only that we were in the top six. In the finals, the girls brought their best dance technique, energy, and crowd engagement. They truly left it all on the dance floor, and it was amazing to watch them perform at such a high level.”

Alexander also praised the dancers for more than just their technical execution. She said the team’s work ethic, spirit, and camaraderie have helped shape the program into what it is today.

“Coaching the Jazzy Cats has been incredibly rewarding and so much fun,” she said. “The girls are not only extremely talented but also dedicated to dance. Many of them participate in studio dance as well, which makes their schedules very demanding, yet they manage to balance it all and excel. Beyond their talent, the girls are supportive of one another, creative, and truly a joy to coach.”

Members of the 2025-26 Louisburg Jazzy Cats are Hannah Basore, Jocie Burk, Harper Cole, Briella Diehl, Julia Dover, Annelise Finch, Alayna Hays, Logan Heffernon, Makenna Holmes, Brielle Myers, Emma Vickrey, Addy Wiese and Maggie York.

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