Brainerd Dance Team Sweeps Section Titles, Advances to State

Warriors win both kick and jazz competitions to qualify for state tournament

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:07pm

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The Brainerd Warriors dance team swept the Section 4-3A titles in both kick and jazz competitions on Friday, January 30th. This marks the first time in six years that Brainerd has won both section championships, qualifying them to advance to the state tournament.

Why it matters

Brainerd's dominant performance in the section finals showcases the strength and talent of their dance team, which has been a consistent powerhouse in Minnesota high school dance competitions. Their success highlights the dedication and hard work of the team and coaches, and will generate excitement in the community as they prepare to compete at the state level.

The details

In the kick competition, Brainerd scored 730 total points and 5 rank points to outpace runner-up Maple Grove (682 points, 10 rank points) and third-place Rogers. In jazz, Brainerd scored 735 total points to beat Maple Grove's 719 points. The Warriors earned high scores in visual effectiveness, routine effectiveness, and creativity, impressing the judges with their energy, confidence, and technical skills.

  • The Section 4-3A Finals took place on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • Brainerd will host a state kickoff show on Saturday, February 7, 2026 to showcase their routines before the state tournament.

The players

Brainerd Warriors

The high school dance team from Brainerd, Minnesota that swept the Section 4-3A titles in both kick and jazz competitions.

Cindy Clough

The head coach of the Brainerd Warriors dance team.

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What they’re saying

“We're very happy with the scores. We were surprised by the 80, but we're glad it came out when it did. There are more judges at this event, instead of five, so the scores look higher.”

— Cindy Clough, Head Coach

“The team performed well. I feel like our energy and confidence were the best they've ever been all year. They projected well to the judges and audience. They owned the floor in that way. They hit it and went over the top with their faces, so that helped. Our turns all looked really good until our last set.”

— Cindy Clough, Head Coach

What’s next

The Brainerd Warriors will compete at the state tournament after their successful section championship performances.

The takeaway

Brainerd's dance team has proven itself to be a dominant force in Minnesota high school dance, sweeping the section titles and earning the opportunity to compete at the state level. Their success highlights the dedication and talent of the team, and will generate excitement in the Brainerd community as they prepare to represent their school at the state tournament.