Many OHS teams performed at Owatonna’s homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 4. The performers were the Owatonna Dance Team, Owatonna Cheer and the Owatonna Marching Band. These groups meticulously rehearsed their halftime performance in hopes of success.
The Owatonna Dance Team started practices in June to prepare to perform their halftime routine at a camp in Brainerd. Senior Lauren Kubicek said, “It was a super fun routine, and it was cool performing their routine for the first time in front of people.” The team had a lot of fun at the camp and was waiting for the next step to perform at halftime. Halftime was the last time they would perform this routine. Since the team is not in season, their routine was choreographed by the leadership team. It consists mainly of seniors.
The team felt they had a strong performance. Junior Aubrey Groby said, “We felt great after we performed and we were determined to have a great performance which we did.” The Owatonna Dance Team is now ready to prepare for their winter season.
The OHS Cheer Team also prepared a routine for the halftime show. The team has spent the last weeks working on choreography and stunting for the homecoming game. Junior Captain Mia Armstrong said, “I felt pretty good about the performance. We had an unfortunate injury the day before our performance so we had lots of changes to make. I think we did good with what we were given.” The OHS Cheer Team has had practice for roughly two weeks, after school Monday through Thursday, before the performance.
With the circumstances that they had with the injuries, the team still worked together to come up with a backup plan. Head Coach Jenna Compton said, “A couple cheerleaders needed to be moved around to fill the missing space. I was very proud of the team for working together and making it work.” The OHS Cheer Team will be cheering on the football team at home against the Apple Valley Eagles on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
The OHS Marching Band was eager to perform for halftime following their summer 2024 season. They have also been working to be prepared for the past month, with rehearsal the past three Sundays. Head Band Director Mr. Peter Guenther said, “I think the crowd will love it, but it is in the eye of the beholder.” Mr. Guenther believes that hope has no purpose, but if his band puts in the work they will be rewarded.
Senior football player and marching band member Logan Langeberg both played in football and in the marching band halftime show. Langeberg said, “I wanted to perform at the highest level in front of a packed stadium, but more importantly I wanted to show the community it is possible to be involved in different things.” After weeks of hard work, the OHS community celebrated this year’s marching band show at halftime.
This year’s halftime performances were largely successful for all who participated. The dance team and cheer team will continue their performances in their seasons later this year.
