MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union High School dance team opened its season strongly this past Saturday in the Tigers’ own gymnasium, finishing first out of four teams in the Hip Hop discipline and second among four squads in Pom. 

WHEN THE MIDDLEBURY UNION High School dance team hosted a meet on Saturday, the Tigers took first in Hip Hop and second in Pom, in which they were edged by South Burlington.
Independent photo/Steve James

The Tigers are coming off a 2023-2024 season in which they took first place in Hip Hop in all the regular season competitions, but settled for second at the state championship competition at Vergennes Union High School.

On Saturday, the Tigers topped second-place South Burlington in Hip Hop, with Mount Mansfield in third and Burr & Burton Academy in fourth.

MUHS HIP HOP dancers performing their winning routine on Saturday.
Independent photo/Steve James

In Pom, South Burlington topped the table, with the Tigers in second, followed by Burr & Burton in third and Mount Anthony in fourth. 

Two teams competed in Jazz: Mount Mansfield outpointed Mount Anthony. Teams choose to dance in two out of the three disciplines at each competition and are judged in a number of criteria, including synchronicity and musicality. 

INDEPENDENT PHOTO/STEVE James

The Tiger dance team has three more competitions lined up in its regular season schedule, all away from home: at Richford on Jan. 20, at Mount Mansfield on Jan. 27, and at Burr & Burton on Feb. 10.  

VUHS will again host the state championship competition, which is set for Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO/STEVE James