Photo Courtesy of West Fork Dance Team
The West Fork dance team had an outstanding performance with four team state titles and a solo state champion at the 2026 Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association State Championships in Des Moines on December 4. The Warhawks earned state team titles in Class III Pom, Class II Hip Hop, Class II Jazz and Class I Mix. Head Coach Kaci Harper reflects on how the team managed a memorable day.
“We went in and we really didn’t know how things were going to go. We went in with a positive attitude. The kids were super excited to go to state that day. They went in with the attitude of we’re going to win, this is what we’re here to do. They put the hard work in and came out with those state championships,” says Harper. “Leading up to state, I could see the pressure was getting to some of them. Once we got to state, I think that pressure just felt like it floated away from them. I noticed a huge change in a lot of them. We had the best day ever. I felt like everybody was so happy. An experience for all of them. They all told me how much fun they had. They were excited for next year.”
West Fork Senior Captains Kylin Johnson, Abby Schoning and Keira Huling have played a role in 14 state dance team titles during their Warhawk careers.
Individually in Class II Solo, Kylin Johnson earned a state title (her fourth career solo state title), Adra Johnson finished in second place, Emerli Johnson was third and Nahla Wilson placed sixth. Senior Kylin Johnson says she was confident entering the performance.
“It was definitely a lot of pressure, but this year I worked extremely hard. I was in the studio basically every day running my solo and just preparing for that moment,” says Johnson. “I was confident in going out there and performing it.”
Assistant Coach and Choreographer Roxanna Johnson shares how this group has inspired future Warhawk dancers.
“I think it’s really important to know that dancers are looked up to in every aspect of it. I think it goes back to who they are on and off the floor. They’ve worked incredibly hard. I think the big takeaway for me is that any child can do what these kids are doing. It takes hard work, takes dedication, it takes practice, it takes heart,” says Johnson. “I love that these kids are looked up to in this realm. They should be because they’re just normal, everyday human beings doing what they love and that’s what makes them special.”
The West Fork dance team will return to the floor over the course of the winter sports season performing during halftime at a few Warhawk basketball games.
