SEWARD, Neb. – The result from Thursday (Jan. 19) will send ripples through the world of NAIA competitive dance. In its second outing of the season, Concordia University Competitive Dance reset the program record for a single competition score while defeating reigning NAIA national champion Morningside in a dual held inside Friedrich Arena. The Bulldogs earned a score of 85.9 while the Mustangs were credited with a score of 75.25.
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad had scored an 80.55 a week earlier in the dual win over College of Saint Mary. Concordia has blown the roof off preseason expectations. It was ranked fifth in the GPAC coaches’ poll unveiled on Wednesday.
Said Maser, “I thought we did great job and improved from last week. We worked in practice on our uniformity. They increased their performance quality in terms of crowd entertainment and energy. We were really impressed with that as coaches. We showed we weren’t intimidated by the reigning national champions. They went in and competed at a high level.”
The same seven Bulldogs who competed last week took the floor again on Thursday. The group again featured fourth-year veteran Katie Birtell (honorable mention all-conference in 2022) out of Columbus, Neb., as well as returners in Aubrey Baumann, Avery Lewis and Maddie Wittstruck. Concordia also incorporated three talented freshmen into its routine: Ryleigh Flesner, Taylor Larsen and Elise O’Neill.
Concordia competition roster
· Aubrey Baumann (Chester, S.D.)
· Katie Birtell (Columbus, Neb.)
· Ryleigh Flesner (Greeley, Colo.)
· Taylor Larsen (Ravenna, Neb.)
· Avery Lewis (Seward, Neb.)
· Elise O’Neill (North Platte, Neb.)
· Maddie Wittstruck (Milford, Neb.)
The Bulldogs managed to defeat a Morningside squad that won both GPAC and NAIA national titles in 2022. This was the season’s first competition for the Mustangs.
Next on the docket will be a triangular with Hastings and Mount Marty on Jan. 25. The dance competition is slated to get underway at roughly 6:30 p.m. CT (halftime of the women’s basketball game) from Friedrich Arena. The cheer competition will follow at the conclusion of women’s basketball and take place inside the PE Center Gym.