The Austin Packer Dance Team hoists the Section 1AA championship trophy for high kick Saturday afternoon in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“We’re really used to getting third place,” said Austin senior Karla Kubesh. “It’s so cool because we’ve never got to experience this before and it’s a totally new feeling. It was so much work, right from the beginning and I think it all paid off. [The seniors] know that it’s our last year, so we really wanted this. We’re not going to get to do this again.”

Nikki Summerfield performs with the Austin Packers Dance Team during the high kick competition of Section 1AA competition Saturday in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

The Packers finished first in high kick in every meet but two this season. They finished second in the Big Nine Meet and they took fourth in the Holy Angels Invite. Now they’ll head to the state meet next Saturday with a lot of confidence.

“I have a lot of confidence in the team and how we’ve done so far,” Austin junior Kayla Jacobsen said. “There’s just a different feel for us this year.”

Austin head coach Kayla Sellers is a former Austin Packer Dance Team Member herself and she’s now led her team to straight state meets. Sellers said this squad was willing to go the extra mile and the Packers responded well to competing on their home floor with a lot of pressure hanging over them.

“They worked so hard for this. They work hard every year and this year they put an amazing routine on the floor,” Seller said. ” It’s definitely a confidence booster, but we take it one week at a time and we look to improve every week.”

Austin will compete at the Class AA dance preliminaries Saturday at approximately 2:20 p.m. at the Target Center. The Packers, who took fourth in high kick at state last year, have high hopes of reaching the finals.

“We set a goal at the beginning of the season and I think winning sections is a huge step for us,” Austin senior Alex Smith said.

Olivia Hunt flashes a fierce look to the crowd during the Austin Packers Dance Team’s high kick performance Saturday during the Section 1AA competition in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Skylar Kroneman competes with the Austin Packer Dance Team during the jazz competition of the Section 1AA competition Satuday in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Members of the Austin Packers Dance Team compete Saturday in the High Kick portion of the Section 1A Dance Meet in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com