Results: Competition 1 | Competition 2
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – In venturing to the location of the upcoming GPAC Championships, Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Dance posted a pair of high-80s scores at the Northwestern Invitational. The invite featured separate competitions on both Friday and Saturday (Feb. 13-14). The Bulldogs placed fifth out of 10 teams with an 87.70 in competition No. 1 before placing third out of nine squads with an 87.87 in competition No. 2.
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s bunch has scored above 83.5 in all seven competitions this 2026 season. The weekend in Orange City, Iowa, further solidified Concordia’s season résumé.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Maser said. “We had two strong performances that were executed with confidence. We may have had a few moments we know we can sharpen, but overall, it was a solid competition in a heavy field of talent. Our athletes keep their dance technique quality high, and their immeasurable passion is something to celebrate. A standout performer was definitely one of our senior captains, Elise O’Neill. These dancers grow every time they step on the floor.”
Saturday’s score represented the second best in program history for a single routine, behind only the 93.33 achieved last week in a championship winning effort at the Concordia Invite. The Bulldogs have scored in the range of 87.33 to 87.87 four times this season while raising their level to unprecedented heights from a program perspective. In terms of average score at the Northwestern Invite, Concordia sat behind only three teams. Viterbo University (Wis.) posted the highest weekend average of 89.94.
The competition roster for the Bulldogs numbered 10 strong in Orange City. The group is made up of two seniors, one junior, three sophomores and four freshmen.
Northwestern Invite Competition Roster
· Hanna Bitner (Valentine, Neb.)
· Alexis Carlen (Staunton, Ill.)
· Brynley Cooper (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Sienna Kelly (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Taylor Larsen (Ravenna, Neb.)
· Elise O’Neill (North Platte, Neb.)
· Cameron Ottersberg (Pawnee City, Neb.)
· Bianca Romshek (Bellwood, Neb.)
· Addison Sample (Pleasant Dale, Neb.)
· Lana Tillman (Battle Creek, Neb.)
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)
In one final outing prior to the 2026 GPAC Championships, the Bulldog Cheer & Dance teams will compete at the Midland Invitational next Saturday (Feb. 21). The competition is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m. CT in Fremont, Neb.