By Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
Sioux Falls Jefferson promised a phenomenal competition with groups from surrounding states, and the event 100% delivered. This is the most impressive lineup a South Dakota competition has had since arguably the Mitchell Classic in 2018, and enticing storylines abound.
Middle School Division
Grand Champion: Memorial “Signature” (BV, BC, BB)
1st Runner Up: Patrick Henry “City Lights”
2nd Runner Up: O’Gorman “Innovation”
3rd Runner Up: George McGovern “Expressions”
Harrisburg North pulled their two groups out at the last minute, leading to Memorial swooping in to grab Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Band, and Grand Champion. Other groups saw success as well. City Lights' Kemper Sestak and Expressions' Keyon Beaubien-Fraser grabbed outstanding vocalist awards, and Expressions also got the People's Choice award.
Prep Division
Grand Champion: Lincoln Southwest “Ambience”
Being the only prep group at this competition, Ambience left an impact on the audience. Waukee Northwest didn’t bring their prep group Aurora to Sioux Falls, leading to Lincoln Southwest being the sole performer in the prep division.
Womens Division
Grand Champion: Sioux Falls Washington “Stage Lights”
1st Runner Up: Lewis Central “Company”
2nd Runner Up: Aberdeen Central “Special Request”
3rd Runner Up: Sioux Falls Roosevelt “Capitol Harmony”
While not winning the division, Capitol Harmony grabbed both the Best Crew and Peoples Choice awards. This also marks the first time Special Request hasn’t placed first in the treble division in Sioux Falls since 2023. Being the only out-of-state treble group, Company did very well for themselves, with the hope of more success in the future. Stage Lights took Grand Champion in the treble division with their Rosie The Riviter-themed show.
Small Mixed
Grand Champion: Vermillion “Rhythm In Red”
1st Runner Up: Dell Rapids “Espresso”
After attending Jefferson since the competition began, Vermillion has finally claimed the top spot in the small mixed division. This was also Dell Rapids' first time heading to Jefferson since the group was formed in 2023.
Finals
Grand Champion: Lincoln Southwest “Resonance” (BV/BC/BB)
1st Runner Up: Waukee Northwest “Eos”
2nd Runner Up: Lewis Central “Corporation”
3rd Runner Up: Waconia “Power Company”
4th Runner Up: Aberdeen Central “Eagle Express”
5th Runner Up: Sioux Falls Washington “Classic Connection”
What a lineup for finals. Classic Connection had a Back To The Future-themed show with fun choreography and a great band to back it up. There’s room for improvement, but an impressive show nonetheless.
It’s a sign of how tough this event was when Aberdeen only placed fifth, but Eagle Express continues to have powerful vocals and a great show design.
Waconia is the only other group to have won at Jefferson in the past, so seeing them outside the top three might be a surprise to some people. But Power Company showed the audience that they weren’t going down without a fight. Their show featured energetic performers with a loud, rock-style band and multicolored lights on stage.
Shoutout to Lewis Central for not being predicted by many people to make finals and cracking the podium. With the addition of choreographers Ben and Melissa Eklund, Corporation made serious improvements from last season. Unfortunately, their tech didn’t work in finals, but their performance got tons of laughs and applause from the audience. Corporation's Marne Kyndesen also received an outstanding vocalist award for her solo in the girls number.
Some thought that Waukee Northwest's complex storyline would carry them to victory, and while they didn’t win this competition, second place is nothing to be ashamed of. Their finals performance was a massive improvement from prelims as their powerful vocals shone through and their tech worked in finals.
Lincoln Southwest performed last in finals, and they took full advantage of a packed gym and a vocal crowd that wanted them to succeed. Tyler Stover received an outstanding vocalist award for his performance as the Grinch. Resonance also swept this competition by taking Best Vocals, Best Choreography, and Best Band. Given Resonance's success at Jefferson, it’s safe to say that this won’t be their only grand champion trophy of the season.
The South Dakota scene will formally reconvene on February 1, when Sioux Falls Roosevelt will host the Executive Showcase.
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