Spots in state competition will be at stake when Montevideo hosts the Section 3A dance team competition Saturday.

The action kicks off at noon with nine teams competing in the jazz compettion, followed by high kick competition featuring 15 teams.

In past years, only two teams from this perennially strong section advanced to state competition, leaving one of the better teams in the state disappointed and at home on the sidelines. This year, three teams in both jazz and high kick will advance to state competition at Target Center in Minneapolis Feb. 12-13.

Montevideo coach Shar­on Forde says defending champion the Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd Shadows, Yellow Medicine East Silhouettes and the Gold Dusters are the favorites in high kick. Competition between the three neighboring rivals has been very close this season.

The Gold Dusters will be the next-to-last of the 15 high kick teams to perform.

“The order is anybody’s guess; it’s going to be a great battle,” said Forde.

Forde looks for BOLD and YME to contend for top honors in jazz, with the third spot up for grabs. The Gold Dusters are not competing in jazz this season.