Millard North Closed The Curtains on the Nebraska Competition Season

By Arte Reed, Nebraska Contributor

Nebraska has officially closed out its mainstream competition season (the Northeast CC Jazz Festival in Norfolk may draw a few show choirs in late March). Several of the state's later-blooming choirs, like Millard West and Pius, took this chance to shine at the end of the season.

Prep Division

1st: Millard West "Swing Cats"

2nd: Ankeny Centennial "Eternal Rush"

3rd: Ankeny Centennial "Chaos"

Swing Cats ended their season on a high note and placed first in the prep division against worthy opponent Eternal Rush. Chaos secured the third place spot, putting two Ankeny Centennial groups in the top three. While not on the podium, newly-opened school Omaha Westview made its first-ever competitive show choir appearance.

Womens Division

1st: Ankeny Centennial "Vortex"

2nd: Millard West "Uptown"

3rd: Pius X "Prism"

Vortex, arguably the best womens choir in Iowa, outperformed Uptown in this showdown. Regardless, both choirs also advanced to finals, not a new experience for either group. Pius cemented their standing at the end of the season, placing ahead of Ralston Runway and MKS Brio.

Final Results

Grand Champion: Millard West "West in the Groove" (BV/BC/BB)

1st Runner Up: Ankeny Centennial "Spectrum"

2nd Runner Up: Pius X "Spectrum"

3rd Runner Up: Keller Central "Voices of Central"

4th Runner Up: Ankeny Centennial "Vortex"

5th Runner Up: Millard West "Uptown"

Uptown had a second chance to beat Vortex, but placements ended the same as they were in the womens division. With that being said, it is still an accomplishment from Uptown for making finals twice during their season. Vortex had a shot to beat Keller Central as well, but placed right below them in fifth. Keller Central placed fourth for the third time this season, which is not a bad way to close. Pius X closed their season with a third place finish, successfully placing within the top three at all of their competitions. Ankeny Centennial Spectrum placed second against Millard West, secured the Best Closer caption, and beat the other Spectrum at this competition. Millard West won their fourth and final grand championship of the season, additionally adding Best Vocals, Best Choreography, and Best Band to their round of captions. On a day when Westside stole many headlines nationally, WIG made a strong case back home that it is the strongest show choir in Nebraska.

All of the groups who attended Millard North have closed out their season except Ankeny Centennial. They will be attending Heart of America Orlando on March 29. Additionally, a few groups from Nebraska still have competitions ahead of them. Skutt Catholic will close their season out at Hinton this weekend. Grand Island Northwest and Norris are tentatively attending FAME Finals in Branson, MO on April 12. Norfork and a few smaller choirs are likely to attend the Northeast Community College Jazz Festival in late March.