I’m sure you’ve seen this hashtag on Twitter and wondered what it meant. Introducing: Minnetonka Dance Team.

Minnetonka Dance Team has had one of our best seasons this year and despite not making it to the State Competition, we’re incredibly proud of our accomplishments. In the first few weeks of competition we triumphed over long-time competitor, Wayzata, at a kick conference meet, taking 2nd place in the Lake Conference for the first time in 5 years, and beating Edina and Hopkins. The season continued strong to our Sections competition which marked the end of the season for the Skipperettes, who placed 5th in Varsity Kick and 8th in Varsity Jazz. We competed against the state’s fiercest competitors with previous state champions Wayzata, Maple Grove, Chaska, and Eden Prairie. But what exactly is behind the powerhouse that is Minnetonka Dance Team?

Hours and hours of practice. Demanding stamina exercises. Numerous times of stretching with ankle weights. Countless visualization and presentation circles. Hours of watching videos of practices and competitions. In fact, during the span of one 4 hour practice, each girl on the team kicked an average of 624 kicks. MDT is not messing around.  “Every single girl on the team had the fire in their heart and when it came to the hard work, stamina, and cleaning (repeating and perfecting), that’s when you could see the fire the most” says April Harrington, a senior captain. One of MDT’s goals has been fulfilled this season: becoming legendary. The team of 2013-2014 has gotten Minnetonka’s name out in the dance team world, as well as inspired the incoming MDT dancers to maintain the strong reputation we have made this season. The team of 2013-2014 has truly become legendary. The future of Minnetonka Dance Team looks bright, and can only improve.