SEWARD, Neb. – A new competition season is off and running in style for the Concordia University Competitive Dance program. The Bulldogs hosted College of Saint Mary for a dual on Wednesday (Jan. 11) and came away with a new school record score of 80.55. Meanwhile, the Flames earned a score of 48, resulting in a win for Concordia. The competition took place at halftime of the women’s basketball game inside Friedrich Arena.
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad gave legitimacy to the hopes it has of climbing up the ladder from its seventh-place finish at the 2022 GPAC Dance Championships/NAIA Regional Dance Qualifier. Maser has begun her seventh season leading the Bulldogs.
Said Maser, “I thought the dancers did a great job their first competition. They have been working hard to increase their technical skills and overall difficulty levels, and they have set a great starting point for what we hope is an awesome season. This is a special group of athletes and we are looking forward to the next competition.”
Seven Bulldogs took to the floor on Wednesday in the kickoff to the season. The group 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. Meanwhile, CSM competed four athletes in the dual.
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 80.55 turned in by Concordia in the dual was a major improvement from the program’s 2021-22 season scoring average of 66.05. The highest single competition score last season by the Bulldogs was a 72.90 in a home dual.
Concordia Dance will return to action next Wednesday (Jan. 18) in conjunction with basketball that evening inside Friedrich Arena. Both the Bulldog dance and cheer teams will go up against Morningside in a dual. The dance competition will again take place at halftime of the women’s basketball game.