PELLA, Iowa - The competitive 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. The winner of the competitive cheer invitational was the University of Dubuque Spartans. This year's overall dance conference champion was the Central College Dutch.

UD's Adam Marshall was named All-Conference First Team for the Spartans.

Competitive Cheer Invitational:

The 2026 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)
2. Buena Vista University (2)
3. University of Dubuque (2)
4. Buena Vista University (1)

2.5 Minute Routine Results: 
1. University of Dubuque
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University

Game Day Results: 
1. Wartburg College
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University
3. Central College
4. Simpson College

All-Conference First-Team: 

• Keesha Lindemann, Buena Vista University
• Dayana Bueso, Buena Vista University
• Adam Marshall, University of Dubuque

All-Conference Second-Team:

• Brooklyn Duncan, Central College
• Biahna Weigandt, Simpson College

Competitive Dance Championship:

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
2. Wartburg College
3. Nebraska Wesleyan University
4. Buena Vista University
5. Simpson College
Pom Results: 
1. Central College
2. Wartburg College
3. Nebraska Wesleyan University
4. Buena Vista University
5. Simpson College
Jazz Results: 
1. Central College
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University
3. Wartburg College
4. Simpson College
5. Buena Vista University

All-Conference First-Team: 

• Keesha Lindemann, Buena Vista University
• Melayna Budinich, Central College
• Chayse Gilchrist, Central College
• Jada Nelson, Central College
• Ella Bonness, Nebraska Wesleyan University
• Lauren Long, Simpson College
• Lexi Erickson, Wartburg College

All-Conference Second-Team:

• Brianna Aspleaf, Buena Vista University
• Keelie Martens, Buena Vista University
• Ashley Westering, Buena Vista University
• Sarah Ashing, Simpson College

All-Conference Honorable Mention:

• Maura Rauch, Wartburg College
• Maegan Schoppe, Wartburg College