Three-peat.
A term often associated with individual players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Teams like Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics, the 1990-era Chicago Bulls, 1998-2000 New York Yankees, 1972-1974 Oakland Athletics and the 1980-1984 New York Islanders — are just some of the few teams ever to accomplish a feat that is rare. Only the greats of their sports have been able to win three championships in a row.
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Astoria Pizazz entered the 2025-26 season riding two straight state championships in the 1A-4A hip-hop category. Though the girls had a talented group of dancers returning, head coach Emily Madsen came in unsure of what her team would look like due to losing 10 seniors from last season’s “dream team.”
But it became apparent very quickly this year’s team had a chance to keep the winning streak going.
“I knew it was going to be a growing year,” Madsen said. “The girls that we were retaining were strong and I was shocked when we had tryouts and so many young kids showed up to try out. It was a really awesome surprise.
“When we got to camp, my hopes got even higher because I saw how they were showing up and rising to the occasion. With the leadership of our captains setting the tone for what it looks like to show up to practice and put in the work, those kids stepped up and really quickly became part of the team right away.”
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When asked if the girls were expecting a state title at Salem Pavilion, Madsen and three of her captains were honest in their responses. Only one said definitely that she was confident.
“Pretty much since our last one, every time someone talks to me about the dance team, they’ve asked if we are going to do a three-peat. I tell them, I hope so,” Madsen said. “We are going to do everything we can to make that happen.”
Madsen’s daughter and junior captain Daphne said the girls were hoping for it.
“Right before we went on the court I said to the team this is what we’re here for and here to win it, so we’re going to put it all out there,” Daphne Madsen said. “I will say we were certainly hoping for it and it was a surreal moment when it actually came through and we heard our song.”
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Senior captain Krizelle Tacla didn’t hold back and said she was very confident the girls would be able to pull off a three-in-a-row win.
“I was expecting it,” Tacla said. “After the last couple years we were doing really good and I could just see it because we are all hardworking people and I feel like we put lots of time and effort into our practices. Everyone knows as soon as we step on the floor it’s time to give it our all and just give everyone a show; this is what we worked hard for and it was all going to be worth it.”
Junior captain Athena Farrow described her feeling entering Salem as “hopeful.”
“I was definitely hopeful,” Farrow said. “You don’t know what the judges are going to do. You don’t know if they like your dance one competition and give you a low score at the next, so it’s a lot of pressure coming off multiple wins. All you can do is put it all on the floor and hope for the best.”
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Not only did the Pizazz girls claim their three-peat in the hip-hop category, but their score of 86.83 was the highest they have ever scored in the hip-hop dance. It also was the highest score of any team during Saturday’s session.
The Fishermen also finished second in the traditional dance category to league rival Scappoose. Though the Fishermen had beaten the Indians with a similar program earlier in the season, the girls came up just short, losing by .44 points. With most of their team coming back next year, it gives them something to shoot for. Despite winning three hip-hop state titles in a row, the Fishermen have yet to win the traditional category.
All three captains gave credit to the new dancers for hard work and dedication to the craft. With so many girls playing fall, winter and spring sports the coaches had to balance their practice schedule. But despite all this, the girls bought into the program and made it happen. This speaks to the expectation the program has. They expect to win and everyone who joins knows what the goals are entering the season.
“I am so proud of them for all stepping up to the occasion and working as hard as we have to show that they are in it to win it just like us,” Madsen said. “They all did so good and I’m proud of their hard work.”
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“I’m happy for all the people that joined,” Tacla said.
“Everyone on the team stepped up a lot,” Farrow said. … “I’m glad everyone gets to experience the feeling of winning a state title.”
Senior captains Tacla and Lily Helligso will end their high school career as three-time state champions, with Tacla also placing sixth in the individual drill category at Salem this year. Junior captains Daphne Madsen and Farrow will enter their senior season seeking an elusive fourth consecutive state title.