CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Competitive Cheer & Dance Championship will take place Sunday, February 15 in Pella, Iowa. Central College will host the fourth conference championship event inside P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium with competition beginning at 11:00 a.m.
This year's event will feature six divisions: Dance (Hip-Hop, Jazz, Pom), Cheer (5-person Group Stunt, Game Day, 2.5 Minute).
The A-R-C Competitive Dance Conference Champion will be decided by an average score from the Pom and Jazz routines. A divisional winner will be crowned in each of the three Dance categories (Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Pom) in addition to the overall A-R-C Competitive Dance champion.
The A-R-C Competitive Cheer Champion will be decided by the score of the 2.5 Minute routine; with less than the required minimum number of teams competiting (5), the competitive cheerleading event will be held as an invitational this year. A divisional winner will be crowned in the 5-person Group Stunt and Game Day categories, with the A-R-C Competitive Cheer Invitational Champion being named from the 2.5-minute routine.
The All-Conference competition for cheer and dance will take place at the conclusion of all divisions.
A full schedule of the day can be found on the
championship page.
Admission:
Central will charge admission to the championship. Ticket prices will be $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students without a valid A-R-C ID and seniors (60 and older). Children 5 and under, and all current students with valid A-R-C ID shall be admitted free.
Concessions:
Concessions will be provided by Central College.
Live Stream:
A live stream will be provided through the
American Rivers Sports Network.
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
