SEWARD, Neb. – In recognition of the most successful season in the history of Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Dance, Mandi Maser has been named the 2026 NAIA Nfinity Competitive Dance Coach of the Year. The honor was announced on April 29 by the NAIA National Office. Back in March, Maser guided the Bulldogs to their first-ever appearance at the NAIA National Championships.
Said Maser, “I’m incredibly honored to be recognized as NAIA National Dance Coach of the Year. This award reflects the culture we’ve built together. We are grounded in commitment, accountability and a genuine passion for the sport. Our student-athletes show up every day ready to give their all, pushing themselves and each other while representing our program with pride.
“I’m especially grateful to be part of a university that truly values dance as a sport and supports the time, effort, and talent our athletes invest. At a smaller institution, that support feels personal, it allows our dancers to be seen, celebrated, and empowered to share their passion on a meaningful stage. Thank you to our athletic department and the entire university community for believing in what we’re building. This recognition belongs to all of us. I’m proud of our team and excited to continue growing together.”
From the NAIA Release:
Under Maser’s leadership, the Bulldogs qualified for the 2026 NAIA National Competitive Dance Championships for the first time and capped their historic run with an eighth-place national finish in Topeka, Kan. Concordia posted scores of 83.50 in the preliminary round and 84.50 in the finals, finishing with an overall score of 84.26.
The 2026 campaign was filled with milestones for the Bulldogs. Concordia claimed first-place finishes at the York Crown Classic and the Concordia Invite, marking the program’s first title since winning the CIT crown in 2023. At the Concordia Invite, the Bulldogs recorded a program-record score of 93.33.
Maser also guided Concordia to a record-setting five NAIA Competitive Dance All-America Team selections, the most in program history. Lana Tillman earned First Team honors, Bianca Romshek and Addison Sample were named to the Second Team, while Hanna Bitner and Taylor Larsen collected Third Team recognition. Larsen became a three-time All-American with her latest honor.
Maser was officially introduced as Concordia’s Head Competitive Dance and Cheer Coach in July 2016. She was named the GPAC Coach of the Year for cheer in 2020. In January 2024, she added the title of Competitive Spirit Coordinator. In addition to overseeing both cheer and dance programs, Maser also serves as Concordia’s Athletic Business Coordinator.