The Rockettes are part of a crowded Class 1A field featuring several perennial power programs. Only the top 12 teams will advance after Friday’s preliminary round.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Members of the Unity competitive dance team performs during half of the football team's home playoff game against Monticello. Finishing third at the Champaign Sectional on Saturday, the Rockettes advance to Friday's preliminary round at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals in Bloomington.
TOLONO - For the eighth time in program history, the Unity dance team will perform under the lights of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals on Friday, taking the floor at Grossinger Motors Arena with a place in Saturday’s Class 1A championship round on the line. The Rockettes are scheduled to perform at 1:13 p.m. Friday at at the arena in Bloomington as part of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals. Unity will compete in the Class 1A preliminary round, where the top 12 teams advance to Saturday’s championship finals from a field of 30 qualifiers. Unity’s routine will follow performances by Quincy Notre Dame at 12:57 p.m. and Fieldcrest at 1:05 p.m. Area fans remaining in the arena after the Rockettes take the floor will also have a chance to support Champaign Central next during its Class 2A performance, with St. Joseph-Ogden going under the lights in the afternoon at 1:45 p.m. Advancing will not come easily. Class 1A is expected to be highly competitive, with nine of last year’s top 10 finishers returning to the state series. Established programs from Jacksonville, Morris and Highland headline a field where a single mistake could be the difference between advancing and an early exit. After all 60 performances across both classes are completed, the IHSA will announce the 12 finalists in each division who will move on to Saturday’s title rounds. Unity’s 2025 state roster includes Olivia Egelston, Ella Darnall, Vanna Schriefer, Taylor Daly, Faith Lampe, Katie Knoll, Madison Spohn, Jauniyah Lisanby, Skylar Savona, Za’Brya White, Jordan Hamilton, Mallory Tiemann, Lily Beailes and Makayla Goff. The Rockettes are coached by Maddy Wilson. She is assisted by Briget Hooker. Friday’s appearance continues a long history of postseason success for the program. Unity has qualified for the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals eight times since the series began, with state trips in the 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The Rockettes also captured sectional championships in back-to-back years during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. With experience, depth and a proven track record, Unity will look to put together a clean performance Friday afternoon and earn another spot among the state’s final 12 teams. Admission is $17, with tickets available online through Ticketmaster. Live coverage of the event will also be available on the NFHS Network.
