ORANGE CITY, IA – LC State Dance kicks off its third competitive season on Thursday, and second under head coach Sydnee Vial. The Warriors open the campaign in a flurry with four competitions in three days between Iowa and Nebraska.
In Vial’s second season, she will turn to her experience from last season and will continue to work hand-in-hand with her student-athletes as both groups navigate the changing landscape of NAIA Dance along the way.
“I have learned so much about how college athletics operates. It is very different than what I have done in the past,” Vial explained. “The team has also grown so much. Warrior Dance never ceases to amaze me. This team works so hard and they are ready to take on their competition this week. I am super proud of the direction this team is going.”
LC State had a roster filled with returning talent and skill, something new in its third season overall. In 2025, the Warriors earned the best score in the program’s short history and captured the team’s first competition victory.
“The dancers really blew it out of the water last year,” Vial said. “We really wanted to beat our scores from the previous season, and they did it. This year, we want to do the same; perform a routine we are confident in, and score well. The scoresheets have changed this year, so although we will try to beat our score, it may look a little different. Regardless, we will be aiming high.”
The Warriors return a group of seasoned upperclassmen that has seen the program change drastically over the years. Senior Zoe Kempton and juniors Greta Boresen, Emma Goodsell and Rylee Oehlert have been on the team since the start, while second-year athletes Olivia Anderson, Tate Jessup and Stephanie Rahe helped propel the team to new heights in 2025. This year, freshmen Camille Hoch and Nalani Nattell will look to do the same.
“We are really blessed to have such strong leadership on the team,” Vial said. “Greta and Zoe are my third-year captains. They are the ones who I can rely on to help me, help their team, and help train up the new captains. I know that I can trust that they will do well in the classroom, I know they will be honest with me when I need them to be, and I really trust them to work with and encourage their teammates when they are struggling.”
With most NAIA Competitive Dance programs being located in the Midwest, the Warriors have to travel for all but one of their five competitions this season. LC State will tackle four events in three days to make the most of the time on the road.
The Warriors open the 2026 schedule in Orange City, Iowa, at a competition hosted by Northwestern (Iowa) on Feb. 5. The team will then travel to Nebraska for the York Crown Classic, hosted by York (Neb.) on Feb. 6. The Warriors will face Hope International (Calif.) in a duel ahead of the York event for two competitions in one day, then wrap up the busy week at the Concordia Cheer and Dance Invitational on Feb. 7.
“The schedule is crazy for sure. We keep calling it ‘planes, trains, and automobiles.’” Vial said. “I really had to work hard to put together a trip that was cost effective and competition effective. I put together an itinerary, booked the vehicles, called and made lunch/dinner reservations, called and confirmed hotels, and planned coffee runs – they’re needed. I’ve been encouraging the team because although it will be a long, busy, and exhausting week, they have prepared for this and are ready to take the stage. They just need to be confident and take care of themselves. After all, it is only one full out per day except for Friday and our duel.”
LC State will dance at home again this season in the second annual Warrior Collegiate Classic. The Warriors bested Carroll (Mont.) last season at the event to earn the first win in program history and are hoping for a similar outcome in 2026. The lone home event of the season is set for Mar. 7 in the P1FCU Activity Center.
“I am excited to host a home competition for the second year in a row, because it allows the community to see what we do,” Vial explained “There are so many misconceptions with our sport so it is easy to overlook what we actually do in a competitive atmosphere. I am hoping that community members can come out and support this team.”
LC State Dance opens the 2026 season on Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. PT. The Warriors will dance at 4:40 p.m. PT at Northwestern’s event.
