2026 GPAC All-Conference Dance
First Team: Hanna Bitner; Taylor Larsen; Bianca Romshek; Lana Tillman
Third Team: Sienna Kelly; Elise O’Neill; Cam Ottersberg; Addison Sample
SEWARD, Neb. – The GPAC All-Conference honor roll for Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Dance continues to trend upward. As announced at the 2026 GPAC Championships on March 7, eight Bulldogs earned all-conference accolades. The award winners include first teamers in junior Hanna Bitner, senior Taylor Larsen, sophomore Bianca Romshek and freshman Lana Tillman and third teamers in senior Elise O’Neill and freshmen Sienna Kelly, Cam Ottersberg and Addison Sample. The eight 2026 honorees are an increase from the five from last season.
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad placed third at the GPAC Championships with a total score of 87.99. Through nine events this season, Concordia has averaged a score of 87.61, 11th best in the NAIA. The Bulldogs are hopeful of earning an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championships. Among the highlights this season, Concordia won team titles at the York Crown Classic and the Concordia Invitational. The Bulldogs set a new single competition standard with a 93.33 at the Concordia Invite.
A team captain along with O’Neill, Larsen has enjoyed a decorated career. The Ravenna, Neb., native is a two-time NAIA All-American and has now been named First Team All-GPAC in back-to-back years. Meanwhile, Bitner has collected her third straight all-conference award with two first team mentions. In addition, O’Neill and Romshek are both two-time All-GPAC award winners. Impressively, Concordia was responsible for four of the 16 freshmen All-GPAC honorees.
All-GPAC honors are awarded based on pre-recorded individual performances that are judged outside of team competitions. To be selected for the all-conference teams, the student-athletes needed to perform a set of skills as outlined by the NAIA Dance Coaches' Handbook. A minimum score on these skills (as judged) was required for selection for the teams.
The Bulldogs will find out if they earned an at-large bid to the national championships when the NAIA selection show airs at 6:30 p.m. CT on March 16. The NAIA Cheer & Dance National Championships are scheduled for March 27-28 in Topeka, Kan.