Hudson Raidaires Bring Home National Title 2024
The Hudson High School Raidaires dance team traveled to Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Fla. to compete in the Contest of Champions National Dance Competition March 2. The Raidaires competed in four categories– Pom, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Kick– placing in the top five in each category and bringing home the first place national championship title for Large Kick for the first time in program history.
*Photo from Disney*
Raidaires are State Champions! (Feb. 3)
Front L-R: Caelynn Carter, Beth Piehl, captain Grace Hackbarth, captain Ciara Sorensen, captain Alli Jones, Ayva Schabo, Gwen Schirmacher, Lauren Kromrey, Tori Piehl. Row 2: Norah Keech, Rylie Martineau, Lauryn Voss, Kendra Beens, Callie Waldschmidt, Lucy Trainer, Sammi Ranweiler, Markie Heiser, Ava Harless, Emma Mahoney, manager Grace Mears, manager Ava Edin, manager Kennedy Smith. Row 3: Natalie Austin, Ashley Bodelson, Courtney Prestrud, Kate Zeuli, CC Seroka, Taylor Rick, Peyton Ranweiler, Elise Bailey, Ella Turnbull, Katie Olson, Clair Forster, Coach Kim Hoff, Coach Bailey Mutschler. Not pictured: Brenna Nee. Back Row: Coach Ashley Marcelleus, Coach Kristin Van Den Broeke, Coach Monica Servi.
All-State Team members: Allison Jones, Grace Hackbarth
On Saturday, February 3, the top dance teams from all over Wisconsin competed in the State Dance Competition in La Crosse. The Hudson Raidaires Dance Team won the top spot in Division 1 Kick, and were named State Champions. They also competed in Division 1 Jazz, where they also earned a place on the podium, with a third place trophy. In addition to team competition, two Hudson dancers, senior captains Grace Hackbarth and Allison Jones were named to the Wisconsin All-State team for their solo performances. The team will head off to the Contest of Champions National Dance Competition in Orlando, FL on Feb. 29, but fans can catch their performances one last time at their annual recital on Sunday, February 11 at 1:00 pm at Hudson High School. The team will perform all of their award-winning routines, as well as solos, duets, trios and performances by the HMS Raiderettes.
Click the links for the Raidaires State routines!
Hudson Raidaires Dance Team Headed to State! (Jan. 27)
Solo and Ensemble winners were, left to right, Ciara Sorensen, Grace Hackbarth, Sammi Ranweiler, Beth Piehl, Tori Piehl, Gwen Schirmacher and Allison Jones
The Hudson High School Raidaires dance team is headed to the Wisconsin State Dance Competition, after placing first in both Division 1 Kick and Division 1 Jazz at the Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Pom Coaches Northern Regional competition at D.C. Everest High School Saturday.
Only the top teams from both the Northern and Southern Regional advance to state. The State Dance Competition will be held in La Crosse this weekend with the Raidaires competing on Saturday, Feb. 3 in the D1 Kick and D1 Jazz divisions.
In the state-wide solo/ensemble division, the Raidaires had two groups place overall in ensembles– Sammi Ranweiler and Callie Waldschmidt placing 12th, and Beth Piehl, Tori Piehl and Gwen Schirmacher placing 8th overall. Three Hudson Soloists– Grace Hackbarth, Allison Jones, and Ciara Sorensen were named All-State Finalists, with the opportunity to compete at State and be named to the Wisconsin All-State Team.
Raidaires Dance Team Named Big Rivers Conference Champs! (Jan. 13)
The Hudson Raidaires Dance team hosted the 30th annual Western Wisconsin Conference Competition Saturday, Jan. 13, where they were named Big Rivers Conference Champions.
The competition featured high school dance teams from the Dunn-St. Croix, Middle Border and Big Rivers Conferences, as they competed for the title of “Conference Champion.” Teams competed in different styles, including Pom, Kick, Jazz, and Hip Hop.
The Hudson Raidaires took first place in Pom, Jazz, and Kick, with a combined score that earned them the title of Big Rivers Conference Champions. Other Conference Champions were Prescott High School for the Middle Border and Pepin-Alma High School for the Dunn-St. Croix Conference.
Raidaires Updates
- Optional Tryout Prep Clinic
- March 18: 4:30PM – 6:30PM @ Hudson Middle School Gym B
- 2024-2025 Tryouts are March 26 – March 29
- 4:30PM – 6:30PM (for March 26 & 27) @ Hudson Middle School
- 4:00PM – 6:00PM (for March 28) @ Hudson Middle School
- 4:00PM – TBD (for March 29) @ Hudson Middle School
The Raidaires Take Home TWO State Championships for the First Time in History!
The Hudson Raidaires Dance Team competed at the WACPC State Competition on Saturday, February 4th, at the La Crosse Center. Last year, the team won D1 Jazz for the first time and were the D1 Kick Runner-Ups after winning that category the two years prior. The first time the Raidaires ever won a State Championship was in 2020 in D1 Kick. This season, for the very first time in program history, the Raidaires brought home TWO Championships in one year. They are the 2023 D1 Jazz and D1 Kick State Champions!
Seniors Ruby Nelson, Ella Quinn, Meade Sames, Lauren Schmitz, and Hailey Plourde were selected as D1 All-State Team Finalists for their solos. They competed these solos on Saturday prior to the team competition. Seniors Ella Quinn, Lauren Schmitz, and Hailey Plourde were selected as members of the D1 All-State Team.
The Raidaires are coached by Bailey Mutschler, Kristin Van Den Broeke-Stieber, Monica Servi, Kim Hoff, and Ashley Herink-Marcellus. This season’s Kick and Jazz choreography is by coach Monica Servi.
The Raidaires Take Home 1st in D1 Jazz and 2nd in D1 Kick at Northern Regional
The Hudson Varsity Raidaires Dance Team competed at the biggest Northern Regional in Wisconsin history at DC Everest High School on Saturday, January 28th. Historically, there have been three Regionals across the state, and this was the first year they were consolidated to two. The Raidaires placed 1st in D1 Jazz and 2nd in D1 Kick, allowing them to advance to State in both styles. The Wisconsin State Competition is on Saturday, February 4th at the La Crosse Center.
During the Regional competition, it was announced that Seniors Lauren Schmitz and Hailey Plourde were selected as the D1 Duet and Trio State Champions with their duet and Sophomores Sammi Rainweiler, Tori Piehl, and Beth Piehl placed 9th in the division with their trio. These routines were submitted virtually in December.
A number of Senior team members also submitted solos to be considered for the All-State team. Seniors Ruby Nelson, Meade Sames, Ella Quinn, Hailey Plourde, and Lauren Schmitz were selected as finalists and will compete their solos at the State competition.
The Hudson Raidaires are the Big Rivers Conference Champs!
The Hudson Varsity Raidaires Dance Team competed at the Western Wisconsin Conference competition on Saturday, January 14th at Rice Lake High School where they claimed the Champion title for the Big Rivers Conference. At this competition, teams compete two routines, the two scores are combined, and the team with the highest total score wins the Conference Champion title. The Raidaires earned first place in Big Rivers Jazz and Kick, and had the highest point total in the Conference.
Members of the team also competed in the solo and ensemble division. Seniors Meade Sames, Ruby Nelson, Emily Heckmann, Ella Quinn, Lauren Schmitz, and Hailey Plourde were selected as members of the First Team All Conference. Lauren Schmitz and Hailey Plourde placed second and first overall respectively.
Hudson Raidaires Compete at the Little Chute Holiday Invite
The Hudson Raidaires Varsity Dance Team competed at the Little Chute Holiday Invite on Saturday, December 10th. This was their second competition of the season where they faced many talented, fellow Division 1 teams.
The team was delighted to place 1st in both D1 Hip-Hop and Kick, 2nd in D1 Jazz, and 6th in D1 Pom. The Raidaires also earned a trophy for the highest-scoring routine of the session with their Kick routine.
They also competed a number of solo and small group routines. A duet by seniors Hailey Plourde and Lauren Schmitz earned second place in D1 Duets and a trio by sophomores Sammi Rainweiler and Beth & Tori Piehl earned second place in D1 Small Groups.
The D1 Solo Division is randomly sorted into two groups at this competition–A and B–with about 40 dancers each. In group A: sophomore Sammi Rainweiler took 2nd, junior Ciara Sorensen took 6th, senior Ruby Nelson took 7th, sophomore Callie Waldschmidt took 8th, and sophomore Lucy Trainer took 17th. In group B: senior Ella Quinn took 3rd, senior Hailey Plourde took 4th, junior Grace Hackbarth took 15th, senior Meade Sames took 18th, and junior Allison Jones took 19th.
The Raidaires are coached by Bailey Mutschler, Kristin Van Den Broeke, Monica Servi, Kim Hoff, and Ashley Herink. This season’s Pom choreography is by Gretchen Hoehn, and Kick, Jazz, and Hip-Hop choreography is by Coach Servi.
Hudson Raidaires Take First Place (Times Four!) at the Menomonie Holiday Classic
The Hudson Varsity Raidaires Dance Team competed at the Menomonie Holiday Classic Invitational on Saturday, December 3rd. This was the first competition of the season! Starting the 2022-2023 season off strong, Hudson took home first in all four team style categories in Large Varsity– Pom, Kick, Jazz, and Hip Hop.
The Raidaires also took home some solo and small group awards. Sophomores Sammi Rainweiler and Callie Waldschmidt, and junior Grace Hackbarth placed first, second, and third in the D1 Solo category, respectively. Ella Quinn, Lucy Trainer, Ruby Nelson, Ciara Sorensen, and Meade Sames placed in the top half of the D1 solo competition.
Seniors Hailey Plourde and Lauren Schmitz earned first place in the D1 ensemble competition with their duet.
Hudson Raidaires Placed at Nationals in Orlando, Florida
The Varsity Raidaires Dance Team placed 2nd in Large Kick, 4th in Large Pom, 5th in Large Hip-Hop, and 10th in Large Jazz at the Contest of Champions National Competition in Orlando, Florida on March 6th. A trio by Sophi Johnson, Hailey Plourde, and Lauren Schmitz also took home 8th place against some amazing ensembles.
Hudson Raidaires Dance Team: State Champions in D1 Jazz and Runner-Ups in D1 Kick
Pictured: Hudson Varsity Raidaires Dance Team
Last weekend the Hudson Varsity Raidaires competed at the WACPC State Championship in La Crosse, WI after earning first in both Kick and Jazz at the Western Regional.
The team made Raidaire history by earning 1st place in Division 1 jazz—a first for the program. They are also Division 1 Kick Runner-Ups!
Hudson had five senior soloists advance as All-State Finalists. Seniors Aubrey Loe, Hunter Sivek, Natalie Bendlin, Sophi Johnson, and Sophia Huber competed their solos at the Wisconsin State competition. Sophi Johnson and Sophia Huber were both selected as members of the All-State team.
This concludes their local competition season. They will be holding their end of the year recital at 2:00 PM on 2/27, at Hudson High School and competing at Nationals in Florida with Pom, Kick, Jazz, and Hip-Hop in March.
The Raidaires are coached by Bailey Mutschler, Gretchen Hoehn, Kristin Van Den Broeke, and Monica Servi. This season’s Kick and Jazz choreography is by Coach Monica Servi.
All-State Soloists
Pictured: Hudson Varsity Raidaires All-State Soloists
All-State Team Members
Pictured: Hudson Varsity Raidaires All-State Team Members, Sophi Johnson & Sophia Huber
Hudson Raidaires Dance Team: Double Regional Champs, Headed to State
Pictured: Hudson Varsity Raidaires Dance Team
Last weekend the Hudson Varsity Raidaires competed at the Western Wisconsin Regional Competition. The back-to-back, reigning Division 1 Kick State Champions lived up to their title by placing 1st in D1 Kick AND D1 Jazz. They will be advancing to State next weekend in La Crosse in both routines.
Hudson will also have five senior soloists advancing as All-State Finalists. Seniors Aubrey Loe, Hunter Sivek, Natalie Bendlin, Sophi Johnson, and Sophia Huber will be competing their solos at the Wisconsin State competition.
The Raidaires are coached by Bailey Mutschler, Gretchen Hoehn, Kristin Van Den Broeke, and Monica Servi. This season’s Kick and Jazz choreography is by Coach Monica Servi.
Hudson Raidaires Dance Team Takes 2nd Overall in the Big Rivers Conference
12/9/2021 – Hudson Raidaires Dance Team “Clean Sweep” at Menomonie Holiday Classic Competition and Newly-Formed Middle School Raiderettes Place 3rd
Last weekend the Hudson Varsity Raidaires Dance Team and Middle School Raiderettes Dance Team competed at the Menomonie Holiday Classic Invitational. This was both team’s first competition of the season.
The back-to-back reigning Division 1 Kick State Championship dance team did not disappoint! They placed 1st in all four team style categories: Pom, Kick, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Hudson also dominated in the solo and ensemble categories as well. Senior Sophia Huber earned a special “Showstopper” Judges Choice Award and 1st place in the solo category, followed by freshman Callie Waldschmidt in 2nd, and senior Hunter Sivek in 3rd. Ruby Nelson and Meade Sames placed in the top half of the solo competition. In the ensemble category senior Sophi Johnson and juniors Lauren Schmitz and Hailey Plourde earned a “Triple Threat” Judges Choice Award and the 1st place title for their trio. Following suit in 2nd place was a duet by senior Aubrey Loe and sophomore Ciara Sorensen, and in 3rd place, a duet by seniors Natalie Bendlin and Sydney Warren. Freshmen sisters Beth and Tori Piehl placed top half in their duet.
The Raidaires are coached by Bailey Mutschler, Gretchen Hoehn, Kristin Van Den Broeke, and Monica Servi. This seasons Pom choreography is by Coach Gretchen Hoehn. Kick, Jazz, and Hip-Hop choreography is by Coach Monica Servi.
For the first time in Hudson athletic history, a dance team was formed at the Middle School level. Named after the original Hudson High Dance Team from the 1970’s, the Raiderettes placed 3rd in Pom at their first-ever competition beating out other well-established programs. The Raiderettes are coached by Caitlan Blomker, Caroline Witchell, and Olivia Weinberger. Pom choreography is by former long-time successful coach, Kim Hoff, and current Varsity Coach, Kristin Van Den Broeke.
Raidaires are State Champions in D1 Kick, 2nd Year in a Row
On Sunday, April 25th, Varsity earned first place D1 Kick for the second year in a row with their athletic, swing-themed kick routine to ‘Sing, Sing, Sing.’ The Varsity Raidaires also took 3rd place in D1 Jazz with their captivating performance to ‘Hopeless Wanderer’ by Mumford and Sons. The cherry-on-top of the weekend came when a trio and solo were awarded All-State Honors. A trio performed by Sophi Johnson (junior), Lauren Schmitz (sophomore), and Hailey Plourde (sophomore) took third place in the state. Lastly, Elle Fallon (senior) was awarded a spot on the 2nd Team of D1 All-State.
Front Row (left to right): Grace Hackbarth (freshman), Hailey Prince (junior), Marissa Brown (senior), Elle Fallon (senior), Ella Blomker (senior), Madison (Madi) Dulon (senior), Mikaela Bolopue (senior), Gabby Maack (senior), Elliana Hurtgen (senior) Middle Row: Addison (Addi) Thompson (sophomore), Natalie Bendlin (junior), Lauren Schmitz (sophomore), Ciara Sorenson (freshman), Mya Huppert (sophomore), Hunter Sivek (junior), Sophi Johnson (junior), Sophia Huber (junior), Ruby Nelson (sophomore)
The JV Raidaires are Double State Champions
Championship Competitions! At the JEM State Championship in Port Washington, WI on Saturday, April 24th, 2021, they took first place in both D1 Pom and D1 Jazz! JV State soloists Gwen Schirmacher (freshman) and Allison Jones (freshman) took home first and second place respectively, and duets performed by Renee Vanderwerff (sophomore)/Ryannah Nelson (sophomore) and Jada Jeske (sophomore)/Emily Heckmann (sophomore) also took home first and second respectively.
Back (left to right): Elle Quist (freshman), Emily Heckmann (sophomore), Renee Vanderwerff (sophomore), Gwen Schirmacher (freshman), Jillian Ulrich (junior) Front (left to right): Allison Jones (freshman), Jada Jeske (sophomore), Ryannah Nelson (sophomore), Lily O’Brien (freshman)
Raidaires placed at Nationals in Orlando, Florida
The Varsity Raidaires Dance Team placed 2nd in Large Pom and 3rd in Large Kick at the Contest of Champions National Competition in Orlando, Florida on February 29th taking home two trophies. The team also placed 6th in Large Jazz.
Raidaires are State Champions in Division 1 Kick
The Hudson Raidaires Dance Team made history at the Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Pom Coaches Association (WACPC) State Championships in La Crosse Saturday Feb. 1, bringing home the team’s first championship trophy for Division I Kick with its heart pounding routine to Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.”
The team also captured second place in Division 1 Jazz with its inspiring routine to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
The Hudson Raidaires Varsity Dance Team kicked off their competition season at Wauwatosa West High School on November 9th. The Raidaires prepared 3 routines for this competition, made up of some of the top programs in the state. The Raidaires topped the Jazz and Kick categories and placed second in Pom. They also awarded the Excellence in Artistry Award for their Kick routine.
A number of Hudson dancers also competed in the solo and duet portions of the competition. Brooke Jackson placed second overall in the solo division. The duet performed by Ella Blomker and Alivia Tennant was awarded first place.
Middle row, left to right:
Etta Zontelli, Emily Waldschmidt, Sophi Johnson, Aubrey Loe, London Gannon, Hailey Burgraff, Gabby Maack, Hunter Sivek, Natalia Rulli, Elliana Hurtgen, Kassie Ehrman
Front row, left to right:
Lexie Sherman, Brooke Jackson, Hailey Wilson, Julia Bartels, Jordan Thill, Elle Fallon, Maddi Dulon