The UCSD Dancesport Team’s first competition of the winter quarter was successful and full of fun as dancers poured their hearts out at the 16th Mustang Ball in Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Our team celebrated many accomplishments at the competition. 

In their first time competing in American Smooth, Alex Tahan and Persephone Ballatore placed 1st in Bronze Foxtrot, and 4th in Waltz and Viennese Waltz.

In the Standard events, David Mazzotti and Catalina Larsen placed 6th in the Bronze Tango, and Alex and Persephone placed 5th in the Bronze Quickstep. Willard Ford and Apru placed 6th in the Gold Viennese Waltz. Mars Bau and Karsten West placed 6th in Newcomer Waltz. In the Rookie Follower category, Naomika Nadkarni placed 3rd in Tango, and Ning Kuo placed 3rd in the Viennese Waltz. In the Rookie Leader category, Brian Chang placed 3rd in Waltz and Quickstep, and 2nd in Tango, and Roger Nguyen placed 3rd in Tango and 1st in Viennese Waltz.

In International Latin, David and Catalina placed 1st in Silver Cha Cha and Samba, 2nd in Silver Paso Doble, and 3rd in Silver Rumba. Alex and Persephone placed 5th in Silver Jive and 4th in Bronze Samba. In the Gold level, Greta Davis took first place across all dances. Brian and Chloe Kurihara placed 5th in the Bronze Cha Cha. In Newcomer, Brian and Yeya Corona placed 1st in Samba, 3rd in Rumba, and 5th in Cha Cha. In the Rookie Follower category, Yeya placed 1st in Jive, Rumba, and Samba, and 3rd in Cha Cha. Roya Relajy placed 2nd in Jive and Naomika placed 3rd. Karsten placed 4th in Samba and Rumba.

In the Nightclub dances, Bryan Cheng and Lili Olah placed 2nd in Advanced Salsa and Bachata. Brandon Torres and Marina Kenat placed 3rd in Advanced Meringue. Brian and Chloe placed 1st in Argentine Tango, 2nd in Beginner Salsa, 2nd in Bachata, and 3rd in Nightclub 2-step. David and Catalina placed 2nd in Salsa, 2nd in Meringue, and 4th in Bachata. In Beginner Lindy Hop, Mars and Naomika placed 2nd. Lastly, in Beginner Meringue, Brian and Yeya placed 1st and Rodrigo Tortoledo and Roya placed 5th.

In the Open Dance, Willard and Blanca Martin and Bryan and Lili stunned the crowd with their incredible performances. Willard and Blanca placed 1st in both Novice and Pre-Champ American Smooth across all dances. In Novice International Latin, Bryan and Lili took 1st and Willard and Blanca placed 5th. In the Pre-Champ level, Bryan and Lily placed 3rd and Willard and Blanca placed 4th. To finish off the night, UCSD showed our team spirit and took home the team match trophy for winning 1st place!