MINNEAPOLIS — The Packer dance team made themselves noticed as they finished in fourth place at the Class ‘AA’ state dance meet in Target Center in Minneapolis Saturday.

“We really came through and performed incredibly well in finals,” Austin head coach Jen Sims said. “Our fans were just unreal. One of the Target Center employees asked if we had brought the entire town of Austin with us. Their support means so much to us.”

Austin’s high kick routine was one of the most noticeable performances of the day as it features heavy metal music and has a darker theme than most.

Sims said she had people tell her that the Packers had the most memorable dance of the meet.

“We literally gave people goosbumps, so I was told,” Sims said. “I think people were just shocked to see these sweet looking girls in ‘nightmare’ character.”

Sims did her fair share of the work on the music arrangement, but she credited the choreography to Marny Rohr, who invented many of the creative parts of the dance.

“She just fell in love with this theme and her creativity shined,” Sims said.

After competing their 11th straight state dance meet, the Packers had hoped to finish in the top three. Chaska won the meet, Sartell was second and Totino-Grace was third.

Austin did finish one spot ahead of Faribault, its Big Nine rival.

Sims was happy with what her team did this year.

“This was a special team,” she said. “They were positive, hard working, and they never gave up. It was exciting to end up at state finals again.”

Austin’s day started on a nervous note as Sims wasn’t sure if her team had advanced to the finals or not. But when the time came to announce the teams that had advanced to the finals, the Packers were announced as the first qualifier.

“I think our nerves definitely got to us in prelims,” Sims said. “Though our overall performance was good, it wasn’t our best. I was concerned that some timing issues and a few personal errors may keep us out of the top six.”

Austin place two seniors, Jasmin Hultgren and Taryn Sims, on the all-state dance team.

On Friday night, Austin’s Mckenzie Besel, Hultgren, Mollie Mickelson, and Taylor Osmundson were selected to sing the National Anthem to being jazz finals at the Target Center.

Students submit requests to sing from all over the state to sing the anthem.