Two of three 2016 champions successfully defended their crowns in the high-kick competition of the dance team state tournament Saturday at Target Center. Eastview defended its title in Class 3A and Aitkin repeated in Class 1A for the fourth consecutive time. Sartell-St. Stephen is the newest high-kick champion in Class 2A.

Eastview won its 10th Class 3A championship in the high-kick competition, Wayzata placed second and Lakeville North third.

In Class 2A, Sartell-St. Stephen won its third title, beating defending champion Totino-Grace, which took second. Faribault finished third. Sartell-St. Stephen last won the high-kick title in 2015.

Aitkin won is its fourth consecutive Class 1A high-kick championship and ninth overall, defeating runner-up BOLD (Olivia) and third-place finisher Yellow Medicine East (Granite Falls).

The 2017 tournament fielded 17 returning teams from last year's competition in the high-kick category.

STAFF REPORTS