The Austin senior varsity Just For Kix dance team recently was awarded gold medals at the Just For Kix Showcase Competition in Rochester April 13.

The team placed first out of 21 teams from different states.

This is the first annual Senior Showcase Competition, which was set up to give Just For Kix high school dance teams something extra in terms of competition. All 21 teams initially danced their routine one right after another in hopes of making finals.

The seven finalists were announced and in addition to the Austin team, finalists included Long Prairie Minn, Grand Island Neb., Mendota Ill., Elk River Minn. and two teams from St. Cloud Minn.

Once finalists were announced, the teams had a short break to make some last minute preparations, then performed again hoping to be awarded one of the top three spots.

“Making finals was a huge accomplishment for the girls as all the teams are excellent,” Austin Just For Kix coach Marny Rohr said. “The girls were so thrilled to be in finals and then to become Showcase Champions was icing on the cake. This is a hard working team and I am so proud they were rewarded for their efforts.”

Second Place honors when to the team from Long Prairie and third place was awarded to the team from Grand Island.

The Senior Kix team, and all of the Austin JFK Dance teams, will perform again in the Just For Kix Spring Shows May 5 at the Austin High School Gym. Show times are 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.