New year, same Astoria Pizazz.

Despite 11 of the 21 athletes competing in their first ever high school competition on Feb. 15 in Tigard, the Astoria Pizazz dancers didn’t miss a beat in their first competition of 2026. The two-time defending state champions in the hip-hop category picked up where they left off last season with a first-place finish in the 1A-5A. The Fishermen defeated Valor Christian and Bend by more than 10 points to make an early season statement.

The Pizazz dancers also did well in the traditional category coming in at third place behind Silverton High School — and just one point behind second-place West Albany.

Head coach Emily Madsen and the team members were pleased with their opening dance.

“We have a lot of work to do to get to where we need to be going into the state championship next month, but today was a great start,” Madsen said in an emailed statement. “The girls are working hard and have great attitudes. We feel we are on the right path and excited to keep evolving our routine.”

The next competition for the Astoria Pizazz dancers will be Saturday, Feb. 28 at Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon. They will be competing against 1A-4A programs Marshfield, Gladstone, Amity and Valor Christian.