Photo Gallery: Apple Valley Dancers 3rd in State in High Kick

Apple Valley is now officially the high-kick capital of Minnesota.

Dancing before an estimated 7,000-person crowd, Apple Valley High School's dance team finished third in the Class AAA high kick division of the 2011 girls dance team state tournament Saturday at the Target Center. That finish accompanied Eastview High School's first-place award at state in the Class AAA high kick division.

Eden Prairie came in second in the high kick competition. A dozen Class AAA teams made the state finals, with six advancing to Saturday night’s finals.

The AVaire dancers impressed both the crowd and the judges with their spirited performance to the music of “Let’s Do It.”

They also saved the best for last, giving their top performance of the season in their final dance, Apple Valley dancers said.

“I’m so excited,” said Melissa Conway, one of four captains for Apple Valley. “We couldn’t have asked for more.”

Saying she felt “pretty amazing,” Apple Valley dancer Larissa Marschel said the team nailed the final dance.

“In finals we got it together,” she said.

Apple Valley’s Jessica Horstman and Marschel were named to the Class AAA all-tournament team.

Apple Valley has won four state dance team championships, with state titles in 1984, 1985, 1991 and 1995.