Submitted photo: The Fort Dodge junior varsity dance and main soloist performers in Newton last weekend included, front row (left to right): Valyn Friedrichs, Lexie Grim, Kinley Walker, Emma Mason, Makenna Brown and Naomi Zaharia. Back: Assistant Shalynn Greve, Aubrey Rees, Audra Sells, Ellie Alstott, Olivia Daniel, Jayde Naeve, Kenleigh Simonson, Samantha Smith and head coach Emily Eastwood.

NEWTON — The Fort Dodge dance squad had another successful day at an event that served as both junior varsity state and a qualifier for individual performers last weekend.

The Dodger JV team took third place and earned a Div. I rating in the Large School Hip Hop category. Sioux City East, Davenport Central, Johnston, Waukee and Cedar Falls were FDSH’s competition in the bracket.

The six squad members in the JV Hip Hop competition from Fort Dodge were Valyn Friedrichs, Emma Mason, Kinley Walker, Makenna Brown, Lexie Grim and Naomi Zaharia.

In addition, three Dodger soloists garnered Div. I ratings: Samantha Smith, Olivia Daniel and Ellie Alstott. Smith secured a Top-10 spot for the third year in a row in Class 9, and advances to state Dec. 4-6 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Smith, a senior, has already placed in the Top-5 twice during her decorated dance career.