By Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
The 2024 Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavalier Classic was looking to be an early-season bloodbath, with multiple groups from Minnesota, Iowa, and, of course, South Dakota starting their season in Sioux Falls. That was until the competition was canceled due to unsafe weather conditions. One year later, Jefferson is back to provide another high-quality early-season competition.
Middle School Division:
Harrisburg North “Radiance”
O’Gorman Junior “Innovation”
George McGovern “Expressions”
Patrick Henry “City Lights”
Memorial “Signature”
Harrisburg North “Refractions”
The Friday night middle school night features six groups from five schools. A few of the participating groups are choreographed by local show choir alumni. Patrick Henry, for example, is choreographed by two Sioux Falls Washington Classic Connection alumni Austin Jones and Chloe Miller.
Prep Division
Lincoln Southwest “Ambience”
The only prep group at this competition, Ambience is in a good position to make themselves stand out. This is one of Lincoln Southwest's three mixed groups. Waukee Northwest chose not to bring its prep group Aurora to the competition, leaving Ambience without competition.
Womens Division
Sioux Falls Roosevelt “Capitol Harmony”
Sioux Falls Washington “Stage Lights”
Aberdeen Central “Special Request”
Lewis Central “Company”
Special Request has been the best-performing womens group from South Dakota for a few years, and the other groups could be looking for a piece of that success. Interestingly, both Aberdeen Central and Sioux Falls Roosevelt's womens groups are choreographed by the same person who does their varsity groups: Kevin Chase and Mike Weaver, respectively.. Dalton Myatt is helping choreograph Company for the first time alongside Melissa Eklund, and Stage Lights continues to be choreographed by Matt Watson for the fourth year.
Small Mixed
Dell Rapids "Espresso"
Vermillion "Rhythm in Red"
While not the largest the small mixed division has been at Jefferson, it does add Dell Rapids to the lineup for the first time. Vermillion has competed in this division since the competition started and hasn’t won the division yet. The group could be looking to make an impression on the judges to finally be the champion of the small mixed division.
Large Mixed
St. Francis “Bridge Street Singers”
Waukee Northwest “Eos”
Sioux Falls Roosevelt “Executive Suite”
Lewis Central “Corporation”
Lincoln Southwest “Resonance”
Sioux Falls Washington “Classic Connection”
Aberdeen Central “Eagle Express”
Waconia “Power Company”
It’s no secret that this is an impressive lineup, and for being every group's first competition of the season, it’s tough to say how things will play out. Waconia has been the only group to win at Jefferson in the past, and they will be fighting hard to keep their title. Lincoln Southwest had an incredibly successful 2024 season with their Chicken Little show, and there are no signs of them slowing down with their How The Grinch Stole Christmas-themed show this season. Waukee Northwest has the farthest drive out of all the groups competing, coming from the Des Moines suburbs. Aberdeen Central, as well as Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Washington, are all in for a treat as they’re competing against out-of-state groups they probably wouldn’t get the chance to see otherwise. And of course, St. Francis and Lewis Central are both thrown into the mix as well. St. Francis has competed at Jefferson every year since the event started, and Lewis Central is coming here for (technically) the first time (they would’ve been present in 2024 if that hadn’t been canceled).
Final Predictions
Grand Champion: Waukee Northwest “Eos” (Best Vocals, Best Choreography)
1st Runner Up: Lincoln Southwest “Resonance” (Best Band)
2nd Runner Up: Waconia “Power Company”
3rd Runner Up: Aberdeen Central “Eagle Express”
4th Runner Up: Sioux Falls Roosevelt “Executive Suite”
5th Runner Up: Lewis Central “Corporation”
First off, it’s impossible to accurately predict how a competition this early in the season will play out. That being said, Waukee Northwest is the safest choice for grand champion. Their show is on a whole different level that will probably be a shock to the locals. There are plenty of groups here who could take the best band award, but Lincoln Southwest might have this one in the bag. Waconia can lose their crown at this competition, and but they won't go down without a fight. Aberdeen has been pretty consistent throughout the years and it’s safe to say they will do well at this competition - perhaps not as well as they usually do. Roosevelt had a phenomenal 2024 season, and it looks like that momentum will carry over to 2025. The last is a tossup between the other groups that haven’t been mentioned yet, but Lewis Central is in a good position to improve on where they ended in 2024 to have a fantastic 2025 season.
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