PELLA, Iowa -- The competitve cheer & dance teams from the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) took to the floor in P.H. Kuyper Fieldhouse on the campus of Central College for the 2026 A-R-C Competitive Cheer & Dance Championships. This year's overall dance conference champion was the Central College Dutch. The winner of the competitive cheer invitational was the University of Dubuque Spartans.
Competitive Dance Championship:
The A-R-C Competitive Dance Conference Champion is decided by an average score from the pom and jazz routines. Additionally, divisional winners are crowned in each of the three divisions: poms, jazz, and hip-hop. Earning the overall dance championship for the fourth straight season was the Central College Dutch. Central swept all three categories.
Hip-Hop Results:
1. Central College (86.50)
2. Wartburg College (77.67)
3. Nebraska Wesleyan University (74.67)
4. Buena Vista University (67.83)
5. Simpson College (67.38)
Pom Results:
1. Central College (87.32)
2. Wartburg College (74.23)
3. Nebraska Wesleyan University (73.55)
4. Buena Vista University (68.10)
5. Simpson College (67.67)
Jazz Results:
1. Central College (87.50)
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University (79.50)
3. Wartburg College (75.37)
4. Simpson College (74.55)
5. Buena Vista University (73.93)
All-Conference First-Team:
- Keesha Lindemann, Buena Vista University (23.00)
- Melayna Budinich, Central College (21.67)
- Chayse Gilchrist, Central College (24.33)
- Jada Nelson, Central College (24.67)
- Ella Bonness, Nebraska Wesleyan University (23.33)
- Lauren Long, Simpson College (20.33)
- Lexi Erickson, Wartburg College (21.00)
All-Conference Second-Team:
- Brianna Aspleaf, Buena Vista University (19.33)
- Keelie Martens, Buena Vista University (19.00)
- Ashley Westering, Buena Vista University (19.00)
- Sarah Ashing, Simpson College (18.33)
All-Conference Honorable Mention:
- Maura Rauch, Wartburg College (15.33)
- Maegan Schoppe, Wartburg College (17.33)
Competitive Cheer Invitational:
The A-R-C Competitive Cheer Champion is decided by the score of the 2.5-minute routine. With less than the required minimum number of teams competing (5) in this event, the A-R-C Competitive Cheer competition was held as an invitational this year. The 2025 A-R-C Competitive Cheer Invitational Champion is the University of Dubuque Spartans for the second consecutive year.
Group Stunt Results:
1. University of Dubuque (1) (41.37)
2. Buena Vista University (2) (34.47)
3. University of Dubuque (2) (31.87)
4. Buena Vista University (1) (22.83)
Game Day Results:
1. Wartburg College (81.27)
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University (72.47)
3. Central College (62.57)
4. Simpson College (57.37)
2.5 Minute Routine Results:
1. University of Dubuque (82.00)
2. Central College (58.93)
All-Conference First-Team:
- Keesha Lindemann, Buena Vista University (18.00)
- Dayana Bueso, Buena Vista University (17.67)
- Adam Marshall, University of Dubuque (18.67)
All-Conference Second-Team:
- Brooklyn Duncan, Central College (15.67)
- Biahna Weigandt, Simpson College (15.33)
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.
