PORT ORCHARD — South Kitsap High School’s dance team qualified for the state championships in impressive fashion March 2 at Kentlake High School.

For the first time ever, the Wolfpack team placed all of their routines in the top two in the three most competitive categories — pom, dance and hip hop in District III — which head coach Lynelle Vandenbos said is one of the toughest in the state. The District III region covers Kitsap Peninsula, south to Olympia and east to the Kent and Renton areas.

“I’m incredibly proud of my dancers and can’t wait to see what they do on the state floor,” Vandenbos said following the district competition.

South Kitsap will be at home to showcase their performance for each event at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. The dance team took the top spot in pom and second in dance and hip hop. Junior Makayla Cook placed second in the individual drill down competition.

The Wolfpack will head to southeastern Washington for the state championship at the Yakima SunDome on Saturday, March 22-23, with the 4A performances taking place on March 23.

The 2018-2019 South Kitsap Wolfpack dance team includes senior captains Maddie Hickle, Alli Newhouse, Amanda Hancock and Jolyn Fessenden; seniors Kaili Arruda, Elyssa Libiternos, Callie Harris and Caitlin James; junior Lizzy Carter; sophomores Makayla Cook, Emma Johnson, Abigail Carter, Savana Million and Kieran Smythe; and freshmen Madi LaVigne and Zoe Quiett. Vandenbos is assisted by Betty Paschke.

The South Kitsap High School Wolfpack dance team heads to a big showdown at the state competition in Yakima on March 23. (Courtesy photo) The South Kitsap High School dance team heads to a big showdown at the state competition in Yakima on March 23. (Courtesy photo)