INTERVIEWS. COVERAGE.
ANALYSIS.

Explore how St. Ambrose University Dance has built a championship legacy through innovation, athleticism, strong university support, and a deep connection to campus culture. St. Ambrose University NAIA Pom at The College Classic In collegiate dance, success does not happen by accident. It is built through years of consistency, leadership, culture, and the ability to keep evolving while still honoring the foundation that came before. St. Ambrose University Dance is a clear exa

Switching nationals brands can be a major decision for any dance team. Learn how to transition successfully with clear communication, athlete buy-in, strategic planning, and a strong team-first mindset. In the competitive dance world, switching nationals brands is more than changing where a team performs at the end of the season. It can shift the way a team trains, builds routines, approaches scoring, manages expectations, and defines success. For some programs, a brand chan

Learn how to analyze college dance competitions through performance quality, scoring trends, choreography, technique and standout routines from NAIA, junior college and Division III programs. Grand Valley State University competing at The College Classic College dance is not just about who hits the hardest trick, who has the biggest team, or who brings the loudest music cut. At its best, college dance is a full competitive product. It is performance, athleticism, musicality,

Avila brought one of the clearest routine identities in the division, fully committing to their monster inspired theme from the very first moment. The music, performance choices, character work, and movement intention all lived in the same world, which made the concept immediately recognizable. This was not a team just wearing a theme on top of the routine. They actually performed through it, and that commitment helped the character bleed into the quality of movement. What st

Trinity Valley Community College has built a reputation for showing up when the pressure is high, the room is loud, and the expectations are even louder. In this short interview, head coach Emma Cox gives us a closer look at the strategy, preparation, and coaching mindset behind one of the most respected programs in the competitive dance team space. That is where Trinity Valley’s coaching strategy becomes clear. Great routines are not just made by choosing the biggest skills

The divisions that don’t always get the spotlight? Yeah… we’re putting them CENTER STAGE. We couldn't do this without our sponsors: Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush This episode is dedicated to highlighting the athletes, the coaches and the p

Graceland University made a bold choice coming out with an iconic song. When you bring a track like “Another One Bites the Dust” to the floor, the expectation is naturally set high. The judges know the musicality. They know the moments. They know where the routine should hit. With a song that recognizable, the performance has to match the demand from the very first count. The routine started strong. Graceland came out with energy, confidence, and technical elements that showe

Morningside University Jazz walked onto the floor with a small but mighty group of 6 dancers, and what stood out immediately was how much visual opportunity this team was able to create with limited numbers. In a division where larger teams can sometimes rely on volume, Morningside had to rely on clarity, intention, and smart formation work. That is where this routine showed promise. This team pushed formation variations well throughout the performance. With only 6 dancers, e

In a division like NAIA Pom, the score range tells a story bigger than placement alone. A team sitting at 83.90% (Briar Cliff University) is not necessarily “bad” by any means. That score often reflects a team that has a clear foundation: the routine is recognizable, the style is present, and the athletes are getting through the material. But at this level, the separation usually comes down to consistency. Precision, motion strength, formation control, synchronization, and pe

Hannah Stutts (@hannahstutts @dtu.therankings) breaks down what it really takes to stand out in the dance and pro cheer world, and it’s not just talent. From her early days in Alabama to performing with a top NFL team, Hannah shares how she built a career by doing what most dancers are told not to do: show her personality. She dives into her journey through studio training, convention circuits, and pro cheer, revealing how each step shaped her resilience, confidence, and grow

Most teams are chasing perfection… but the programs winning RIGHT NOW are chasing something deeper. In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down the biggest global stages in the industry, the ICU World Cheerleading Championships and USASF Dance Worlds, and why these events are quietly reshaping the future of dance teams and “performance cheer”. From Team USA’s dominance to the rise of international programs leveling up FAST, this episode dives into how choreograp

In this episode, Coach Annie Rose Carroll takes us inside the rise of Baylor Dance, from her transition into coaching to building a program that’s both competitive and culture-driven. But this conversation doesn’t stop at Baylor… We’re also diving into some of the most talked-about conversations in the dance team world right now, from division shakeups to the pressure being placed on dancers earlier than ever. This one balances insight, honesty, and a little bit of chaos… exa

The College Classic 2026, it's a wrap! Here are some of my final thoughts... See you next year! We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush

The Pom division just got flipped upside down. In this episode of No Counts Given, we break down the Top Pom teams competing at The College Classic based on actual data, historical results, and what the scoresheet really rewards. From returning champion Ohio University to rising threats like Central Michigan, Oregon, and Baylor, we’re diving into what each team did in 2025, where they hit, where they missed, and what they need to fix if they want to win this season. Dance Tea

Rochester isn’t just winning titles… They're building a legacy. In this episode, we sit down with Coach Lisa Niskar to unpack the evolution of one of the most dominant programs in the game. From a COVID-era rebuild to becoming a national powerhouse, this conversation dives into the culture, discipline, and intentionality that fuel Rochester’s success. We talk about injuries, pressure, leadership, and what it really takes to be an elite athlete. Plus, a candid look at coaching

Rebel vs. Varsity and the Industry Power Plays No One Can Ignore. In this episode, we break down the growing tension between Varsity and Rebel, the business moves shaping today’s cheerleading and dance landscape, and the bigger conversations the industry keeps dancing around. From event access and branding power to the real purpose of novice, intermediate, and advanced divisions, this is an honest look at how competition structure, company politics, and outdated systems can i

Four DTU Nationals coaches pull back the curtain on what really goes down behind the scenes at one of the biggest events in the dance team world. From emotional highs and crushing lows to tough conversations about scoring transparency, judging consistency, and division structure, this roundtable gets real about the competition experience. The coaches break down everything from registration chaos and venue logistics to the pressure teams face on and off the floor, while also t

On this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down several conversations currently circulating across the dance team industry. We examine the 75/25 Day 1 vs Day 2 scoring split, the expanding OneBeat and Varsity partnership, and UDA’s proposal to restructure the Open division at College Nationals. We also look at the DTU Hip Hop scoring conversation that emerged after Nationals and what it reveals about judging panels, score consistency, and how placements shift betwee

The Battle at DTU Nationals is on full display. In this episode of No Counts Given, we’re putting some of the weekend’s top routines head-to-head and letting you decide who takes the win. No score breakdowns. No judging analysis. Just the routines. Kyle Rush showcases the standout performances from this division and turns it into a challenge for the audience: Who actually won The Battle? Watch the routines, compare the performances, and lock in your prediction before the resu

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the Jazz and Lyrical divisions at Dance Team Union Nationals - the scores, the strategy, and the stories behind the performances. From technical precision and extension control in jazz to emotional execution and musical nuance in lyrical, we’re unpacking what separated the champions from the finalists. We’re talking composition, transitions, difficulty choices, caption strengths, and where certain routines either soared… or left points