Twenty-six Fremd High School Varsity Poms team members are headed to central Illinois today to compete in the first ever IHSA Dance Competition. 

Fremd Varisty Dance Coach Jane Richards said her team has been working hard toward this opportunity for close to a year. 

"Since they auditioned last spring, which is a tough process by itself, they have built tremendous self-confidence in their ability, and have grown beautifully as a team-I am so very proud of them," Richards said. 

The prelimary state finals will shake out the top 10 teams from Division 1A, 2A and 3A that are competing in Bloomington, Illinois. Those top 10 teams will again compete on Saturday to become the three division winners. 

Fremd is in the 3A Division, which is based on enrollment size. 

The Fremd Poms are a 'Kick' team, where a majority of their routine includes kicks with musicality and in a variety of formations, Richards said.

Whatever the outcome, the Fremd Poms have another honor in the very near future.

They are headed to Orlando, Florida next weekend to compete in the United Dance Assocation (UDA) competition, which will be televised.

The team earned the opportunity by scoring superior ratings at a camp they attended this summer, Richards said.  

Palatine Patch wishes the Fremd Varsity Poms great luck at state and at the UDA competition-go get 'em girls!