Congratulations Austin Senior Varsity Just For Kix dance team. The team was awarded gold medals at the Just For Kix 2nd annual Showcase Competition in Rochester on Saturday, April 5. The girls placed first out of 29 teams from five states. They first earned a place as a top nine finalist and then danced again, earning the top spot. The Showcase was offered for the first time last year and Austin took home the gold then as well. This is the second annual Senior Showcase Competition set up to give Just For Kix high school dance teams more competition. All 29 teams danced their routine. In addition to the Austin team, finalists included Long Prairie Minn., Grand Island Neb., St. Cloud Minn., Brainerd Minn., Marshall Minn., Owatonna Minn., Medina Minn. and Richfield/Bloomington, Minn. Once finalists were announced, the teams had a short break to make some last minute preparations and then performed again hoping to be awarded one of the top three spots. “The team danced so well in prelims but the girls weren’t satisfied so once we found out we made finals we made some tweaks,” coach Marny Rohr said. “ The girls blew me away in finals with their execution and presentation of the routine. I was speechless and overwhelmed. This is a hard working team and I am so proud they were rewarded for their efforts.” You can watch the routine on the Austin Just For Kix Facebook page or search on YouTube. Second place went to Brainerd and third place was awarded St Cloud. Photo provide