Prelims Results (PDF) | WATCH LIVE: Urban Edge Network
Saturday (March 28) Dance Finals Schedule
2:30 PM - Bethel College (77.63)
2:40 PM - Aquinas College (77.83)
2:50 PM - Loyola University (78.95)
3:00 PM - Concordia University (83.50)
3:10 PM - Baker University (83.58)
3:20 PM - Hope International University (83.85)
3:30 PM - Doane University (87.40)
3:40 PM - Oklahoma City University (89.60)
3:50 PM - Grand View University (89.80)
4:00 PM - Viterbo University (91.53)
4:10 PM - Midland University (92.63)
4:20 PM - St. Ambrose University (92.98)
TOPEKA, Kan. – For the first time in program history, Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Dance took the floor at the NAIA National Championships. The Bulldogs led off the competition on Friday (March 27) evening and earned a score of 83.5. That performance placed Concordia ninth at the conclusion of the preliminary round of the national championships. The Bulldogs and the 11 other national qualifiers will return to the Starmont Vail Events Center in Topeka, Kan., for the finals on Saturday.
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad garnered an at-large bid to the national championships and is one of three GPAC dance teams on site in Topeka.
As Maser commented on the NAIA’s official broadcast, “This team is really special because they are really close – as close as family can be. They got together and made this their goal from day one. They worked really hard to get here and they’ve done it for each other. There’s a lot of joy in everything that they do.”
The prelims are weighted as 25 percent of each team’s final score with the finals accounting for 75 percent of the total. In Friday evening's routine, Concordia rolled out the same 10 athletes that competed earlier this month at the GPAC Championships. Seniors Taylor Larsen and Elise O’Neill are soaking up the opportunity to compete at nationals in their final seasons as Bulldogs.
In the prelims, Concordia posted a higher score than Bethel College (77.63), Aquinas College (77.83) and Loyola University (78.95). The leader heading into the finals is St. Ambrose University (92.98).
2026 NAIA Championships Competition Roster
· Hanna Bitner (Valentine, Neb.)
· Brynley Cooper (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Sienna Kelly (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Taylor Larsen (Ravenna, Neb.)
· Elise O’Neill (North Platte, Neb.)
· Cameron Ottersberg (Pawnee City, Neb.)
· Kaylee Powell (Central City, Neb.)
· Bianca Romshek (Bellwood, Neb.)
· Addison Sample (Pleasant Dale, Neb.)
· Lana Tillman (Battle Creek, Neb.)
The finals of the 2026 NAIA Dance National Championship are slated to get underway at 2:30 p.m. CT from the Stormont Vail Events Center. Based on preliminary round scoring, the Bulldogs will take the dance floor fourth among the 12 qualifying teams. The awards presentation will follow at 5 p.m.
2026 Competitions
Jan. 21 – Def. CSM in dual (83.66)
Jan. 24 – Placed 3rd/8 (85.21) at Dordt Invite
Jan. 30 – Placed 3rd/9 (87.7) at KWU Classic
Feb. 6 – Placed 1st/14 (87.33) at York Crown Classic
Feb. 7 – Placed 1st/8 (93.33) at Concordia Invite
Feb. 13 – Placed 5th/10 (87.70) at Northwestern Invite (Day 1)
Feb. 14 – Placed 3rd/9 (87.87) at Northwestern Invite (Day 2)
Feb. 21 – Placed 2nd/7 (87.79) at Midland Invite
March 7 – Placed 3rd/9 (87.68-prelims; 88.09-finals) at GPAC Championships