ACU Dance Team Places 2nd in Two Categories At Nationals

Anaheim, Calif.- The Arizona Christian University Dance Team competed at the USA Collegiate Championships on February 15-16, 2025 in Anaheim, CA. They competed in division 2/3 which includes D2, D3, and NAIA schools.

The team took home second place in Division 2/3 Jazz. They also won second place in Division 2/3 Hip Hop, making it their first time placing in that category in program history.

This is the team's sixth season under head coach, Tracy Sandon, and the team's fourth year competing on the national stage. Last year, they placed third in Division 2/3 Jazz. In 2023, they took second place in Division 2/3 Jazz and eighth place in Division 1 hip-hop.

Coach Sandon had high praise for the team after the competition. "This team is just getting started! Their talent, drive, worth ethic, and encouragement of one another inspires and uplifts the team through injuries and obstacles. I'm incredibly blessed to work with them."

Coach Sandon dedicated this victory to several people, everyone behind the scenes from families to their seamstress to ACU staff. "Our win in both categories would not have been possible without the talent and encouragement of our incredible choreographers Faith and Maya Lorimer, who choreographed our beautiful Jazz routine and Hannah Bauer's choreography for the incredible hip-hop number. The routines these choreographers blessed us with and inspired us and allowed us to showcase our talent.

"We'd also like to thank our seamstress, Barbara Hays, and Rhine- stoning extraordinaire, Connie Osterlitz, Kylie Mangini, and Gypsy Patnude for helping us shine and look our best," Coach Sandon continued to say.

"We love our families so much and appreciate the sacrifices they made in order to give us the time and concentrated effort to do our best. You support us with constant prayers – it truly makes a difference. Also, we owe a ton of thanks for everyone who gave to our E-team Sponsor Campaign which made our trip possible. We thank everyone who prayed for us – your prayers gave us the grace and guidance through every moment – some of which were very challenging.

"Most importantly, we thank God for His many blessings, for loving us unconditionally, for calling us to ACU, and allowing us to use our gifts and love of dance to bring more recognition for Christian colleges and to the mission of Arizona Christian University."

Congratulations, Coach Sandon and ACU Dance Team!

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Players Mentioned

Kylie Mangini: Sophomore

Gypsy Patnude: Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Kylie Mangini
: Sophomore

Gypsy Patnude
: Graduate Student