This past weekend, the UCSD Dancesport Team brought their energy and talent to The Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company (CCBDC) Intercollegiate Showdown! From first-timers stepping onto the competition floor to seasoned dancers representing UCSD at advanced levels, it was a day packed with excitement, impressive performances, and fantastic results. Here’s a breakdown of the action and our team’s achievements:

The day started early with Syllabus Smooth, moving through the levels from Newcomer to Gold. Alex, paired with alumni Elizabeth, brought home top placements (1st and 2nd) in Silver Smooth Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz, nearly sweeping the entire event. Their hard work these past few weeks clearly paid off. Then our newcomers made their debut in the Standard style. Paul and Julia, who’ve only been dancing for four weeks, clinched 1st in Newcomer Waltz and Tango—an amazing feat for their first time on the floor!

As events progressed, Cadie took a bold step into the leader’s role for the first time, tackling the challenge with ease as she competed in multiple Rhythm and Latin categories. She and Naomika finished in every bronze Rhythm dance and won 1st in newcomer Swing. Meanwhile, Toby, a recent graduate of CCBDC and now PhD student at UCSD, was back on familiar turf. Competing alongside their former teammates, Toby finished in every Rhythm event at the Gold (and Silver) level–the most competitive syllabus division. Cadie and Naomika continued their dominance into Latin where they finished in every Bronze and newcomer Latin dance including 4th place in Bronze Cha-cha out of over 50 couples narrowed down through an hour of nearly continuous dancing. Not to be outdone Toby, Alex, and Elizabeth all performed excellently in the Silver Latin level including 6th place finishes in all dances for Alex and Elizabeth.

Later, the dance floor transitioned into lively Nightclub Events—social dances that bring a playful and more relaxed atmosphere. Greta brought energy and style to the Advanced Salsa and Hustle alongside Willard. Her enthusiasm and smooth execution won them 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Cadie and Naomika once again dominated the competition in the nightclub section, medaling in every single Beginner nightclub dance. Even more impressive, they swapped who led and who followed between seemingly every dance and still killed it! Toby, already well known in the collegiate circuit for their nightclub skill, performed excellently in the Advanced including medaling in nearly every dance. Their Polka was a true standout—packed with technical precision and energy that made it the most captivating performance on the floor. Despite a well-deserved first-place effort, they were awarded 4th, leaving the team with no doubt that the judges missed a winning performance!

Finally, the competition shifted to the Open Events, where dancers at the highest level bring out their best routines and most elaborate costumes, UCSD’s presence remained strong. Blanca and her brand new partner Jessie displayed a fierce and fiery style that won over the judges, taking second place in the Novice Latin category. Willard and Blanca delivered an outstanding performance in Open Smooth that captured the judges' attention. Their practice was evident on the dance floor, earning them a unanimous first place from the judges.

Throughout the day, the UCSD Dancesport Team showcased the athleticism, artistry, and camaraderie that make ballroom dance so captivating. The excitement of seeing Paul and Julia perform in their first competition, watching Cadie confidently step into a new role, and cheering for Toby on their former home floor were just a few of the memorable moments that brought the team closer together. Each of our dancers made UCSD proud, not just with their results but with the passion and support they shared with each other. We can’t wait to do it all again at UNLV in a few weeks!