Prior Lake has qualified for the Class 3A state meet in jazz funk the last two years, the first two berths in the program history. The Lakers finished 10th last winter at state and was 11th in 2012.

Is this the year Prior Lake can grab a state spot in high kick too?

That's goal for the Lakers, along with getting back to state in jazz funk once again.

"Of course our goal is to make it to state in jazz funk for the third year in a row," said Lakers coach Christi Falkenberg. "If we do make it, we want to be in finals (top six). We are dancing our top dancers and we know we can do it.

"We do have a stronger kick team this year," added Falkenberg. "The girls want to do well and going to state is a goal. If we do not make it, we hope to be in the top half at sections. Our section has incredible kick teams, so it would be a honor to be in the top half."

Section 1AAA features the likes of Eastview, the state champs in both high kick and jazz funk last year. Burnsville had an off year last year, but it has won a state-record 10 titles in high kick, while Eastview has won the last four crowns.

Those two programs have also won 13 of the last 15 state titles in high kick. Faribault is also a strong program in Section 1AAA. It has nine state titles in high kick between Class 2A and 3A in its history.

Lakeville South was one of the three Section 1AAA teams to make state in high kick last year, as well as jazz funk. Lakeville North and Apple Valley have also had strong programs.

"We have extremely high expectations for our team this year," said Falkenberg. "We have so much talent and we expect the girls to reach their full potential. We want the girls to go outside their boundaries and be the best dancer and teammate they can be."

Prior Lake's captains are seniors Casey McNally, Peyton Faber and Kacie Lein.

Other returning letterwinners include: seniors Tia Phongsavat, Haley Altringer and Bella Henningsen, juniors Maddie Lawler, Kenzie Perrier, Kacee Kons, Erin Bornholdt and Emily Streit and sophomore Emily Schriever.

Others on the team: senior Elli Vohnoutka, juniors Erin Bornholdt, Lexi Enger, Meghan McWilliams, Rylee Bolster and Sophie Wenthe, sophomores Erin Palmer, Gabbie Keeran, Jordyn Trog, Kaytlyn Herbst, Maddie Larson, Morgan Soukup and Nicole Tiritilli and ninth-graders Emma Gordon, Jillian Roscoe, Makenzee Helser and Maslynn Phongsavat.

The Lakers open the season in South Suburban Conference action Nov. 25 in a meet at Lakeville South at 7 p.m. Other SSC meets are Dec. 2 at Burnsville, Dec. 9 at Eagan and Dec. 16 at Eastview.

The SSC Championships are Dec. 20 in Prior Lake at 11 a.m.