Marshall Just For Kix dancers leaped into action for the Senior Showcase dance events at the National Together We Dance competition, which was held last week in Rochester. Area dancers were among more than 7,000 youth from around the Midwest competing in different dance events.

MARSHALL — The days were long and the competition was intense. But for members of the Marshall Just For Kix dance program, the hard work paid off.

Last week, the Marshall Just For Kix dancers competed at the National Together We Dance competition in Rochester. They made into the top three places at two Nationals events, and took home several team, solo and small group awards.

As area dancers progressed through the competition, “We did not know what to expect,” said Kayleigh Albertson, a member of the Senior Showcase Hip Hop and High Kick dance groups. “We were just trying to go out there and do the best we could.”

The competition at the event was “mind-blowing,” said Marshall Just For Kix director Melissa Rutledge. “Our dancers exhibited outstanding skill and dedication.”

Marshall Just For Kix takes part in the national competition each year, Rutledge said. This year’s event brought together more than 7,000 dancers from states around the Midwest, including Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. The competition included a variety of different dance events spread out from April 24-28.

This year, Marshall Just For Kix dancers placed third in the Nationals A senior hip hop showcase competition, and second place in the Nationals AA senior high kick showcase. They also brought home a total of 10 team awards, and three solo and small group awards, Rutledge said.

Rutledge said the high kick team faced some new challenges at Nationals. Last year, they had placed first in the senior showcase high kick competition, and were moved up to the bigger AA competition class. “That was very exciting,” she said.

Being moved up to a tougher competition class was something that was a little nerve-wracking for the dancers, Albertson said. They were also competing against teams they hadn’t faced before. “But we knew we were capable of it,” she said.

Placing second at Nationals was a way to go out on a high note, especially for the eight high school seniors on the team, Rutledge said.

“For them, it was a really great ending to their competitive dance season,” she said.

Just For Kix brings together students who are also members of the Marshall High School and Lakeview dance teams, Albertson said.

“It was long days, but it’s fun because you get to see everyone from all the states (competing),” Albertson said of being at Nationals.

Just For Kix dancers in a wide range of grade levels all got a chance to take part in the national competition.

“It’s exciting,” said Cassidy VanDeVeire. VanDeVeire and Elizabetta Rutledge both competed in the wee jazz and wee hip hop competitions, which are for a younger age group of dancers.

“I was kind of scared” at first, Rutledge said. But the nerves turned to excitement when the girls were on stage.

Competing at Nationals was a fun experience to get to share with younger dancers, Albertson said.

“With the younger girls, it’s so fun to get a big crowd to cheer them on,” she said.

Getting to meet other dancers was one of the best parts of being part of Just For Kix, Elizabetta Rutledge said.

“I like being with friends and just dancing,” VanDeVeire said.

The final celebration for the dancers’ season will come on Sunday, at the Just For Kix spring show at the Southwest Minnesota State University R/A Facility.

“Everyone is super excited for the spring show this weekend,” Melissa Rutledge said. “It’s a celebration of hard work, passion and the joy of dance that we are excited to share with our community.”