Spread Eagles, fouettes, turn leaps and heel extensions are all moves that the Albert Lea High School dance team executes every day.

Thursday, February 14, 2002

Spread Eagles, fouettes, turn leaps and heel extensions are all moves that the Albert Lea High School dance team executes every day.

The only problem is that most of these are dangerous to try on the Brookside gymnasium floor. More than six of the dancers have been injured this season, and at one point there were three competition dancers sidelined. From shin splints to hip flexors, dancing takes a toll on the body just as much as other sports. And the Tigers’ current practice facility does not help.

&uot;A big part of it is this floor,&uot; said coach Charla Kleinbeck. &uot;Not being able to have a wooden floor is very hard on these girls.&uot;

The dance team has to practice in Brookside because it is the only gym available after school. Kleinbeck is very appreciative they can use the gym, although it takes a lot of her best dancers out of competitions.

&uot;We are very grateful to have a nice big gym space to practice in,&uot; said Kleinbeck.

After placing third at Faribault, it looked like a good future for the dance team this year, but injuries took a toll in the next two competitions. Before the Big Nine, they lost three competition dancers. So instead of practicing together they had to hurry and make adjustments.

&uot;It put our formations off, and our formations have been better,&uot; said Kleinbeck.

Senior captain Kelsey Boyd knows what it is like to be injured. Last year she missed all but one competition because of injury and so far this year has missed one competition and a performance. Boyd knows the best way to not miss any competitions would be not to get hurt because it is hard to come back and practice.

&uot;It’s not going to make the injury any better,&uot; Boyd said. &uot;You could damage it permanently.&uot;

A lot of people think that dance line is the easiest sport in the world, and that is why they are on the bottom of the totem pole as far as sports go.

Kleinbeck invites people who think that to just go out and dance.

&uot;I think that they should come to practice and try to do what we do,&uot; said Kleinbeck.