MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) – As the state dance competition approaches, the Manitowoc Lincoln High School dance team is preparing for a familiar journey. This year marks the program’s sixth consecutive trip to the state stage.
Led by coaches who once competed on the same floor, the Lincoln dance program has become a generational tradition, with alumni now guiding the next wave of athletes.
“We are all rooting for each other, and we all feed off each other,” senior Ava Brennan said. “No matter what background we come from, we connect immediately, and that’s what I love so much about the dance world.”
While qualifying for state is the goal, team members say the journey is what leaves the biggest impact. Practices begin as early as May, continuing weekly through the summer and intensifies as the season progresses.
“We start practicing in May, and we practice every week in the summer,” senior Lila Redwine said. “It can be long weeks, but it’s all worth it.”
That time together has forged a bond that goes beyond competition.
“We all sit and tear up sometimes,” Brennan said. “We’re just a great group of girls that love each other so very much.”
The program’s sense of family starts at the top. Head coach Emily Duckart and assistant coach Delanie Callsen, both Lincoln alumni, say returning to lead the team has been especially meaningful.
“I think dance, especially at Lincoln, has grown so much,” Duckart said. “The athleticism and showmanship have come so far. It makes me so proud to see the growth from when I was on the team.”
Callsen added that dance remains an underrecognized sport despite its competitive demands.
“Dance shapes who you are,” Callsen said. “It’s such a competitive sport that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but it grows you and shapes you into who you become.”
From early days practicing in hallways to competing on the state stage, the Ships program has steadily gained support from the school and community. Coaches say collaboration across teams statewide has also helped elevate the team.
“Even though the competition is fierce, it’s a network of coaches who collaborate and help each other out,” Duckart said.
For the dancers, the lessons learned extend beyond choreography.
“It shows that even if you find a passion later in life, you can still join and have fun with it,” Redwine said. “It’s never too late to start something new.”
Duckart hopes her dancers carry those lessons forward.
“Success is never linear,” she said. “There are ups and downs, and you need to grow from that. Never let it defeat you. Let the pressure build you.”
Manitowoc Lincoln has placed fifth at the state tournament three times since 2022. This year, the team will compete for gold in both Poms and Hip Hop.
