The Shield

The dance team poses together after performing their nationals routine for the last time Saturday morning in Orlando, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Abigail Durham)

My experience traveling to compete in a college dance competition

Abigail Durham, Staff Writer April 20, 2023

The USI Dance Team and I had the opportunity to travel to Orlando, Florida from April 6-9 to compete at the College Classic Dance Team Union Nationals Competition.  Under their division and a style of...

The USI Cheerleading team looks up at the jumbo Tron during a media time out.

Cheer team places fifth at nationals

Nik Cunningham, Sports Editor January 21, 2020

The USI Cheer team finished 5 out of 18 teams in nationals on Jan.18 in Orlando, Florida. The Cheer team was competing in the Division II Small Coed Division for the first time since 2016. “When...

Miranda Brooks dances during the basketball game Saturday.

Dancing through the pain

Sarah Rogers, Features Editor January 15, 2019

Miranda Brooks was told she would never make it as a dancer. When the senior psychology major told her high school coach she planned to try out for the USI dance team, her coach told her she didn’t...

Ashlen Bellin protects herself from a bater during the teams practice Tuesday night. The team practices three days a week for two hours.

‘Strong team community’

Sarah Loesch, Editor-in-chief September 7, 2016

This year the quidditch team introduced a new president, sophomore Ashlen Bellin. The Shield sat down with her to talk about her start in quidditch and this years team. The Shield: What position do you...

Triumph together

Triumph together

Sarah Loesch, Sports Editor April 12, 2016

During interviews with members of the dance team, I found myself thinking about how amazing teams are. Teams might be one of the foundational aspects of a sport, but it’s also an extremely complex part...

Senior psychology major Audrey Beckerle and junior nursing major Krista Zieg warm up with leaps at the beginning of dance team practice last October in the Physical Activities Center. The team will be competing in the National Dance Alliance College Nationals Thursday in Daytona, Florida.

‘Come together’: Dance team combines multiple styles, heads to nationals

Sarah Loesch, Sports Editor April 5, 2016

Alyssa Smith The dance team struggled with unity at the beginning of the year. “It’s a very young team. We have a lot of new members this year,” Jennifer Guebert said. “They are each individually...

Cross country qualifies for nationals

Sarah Loesch November 11, 2015

Both the men’s and women’s cross country qualified for the NCAA II National Championships. The women’s team finished fifth during the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Championships with two of their...

Dance team finds success with national’s routine

Sarah Loesch April 22, 2015

The dance team came out of nationals this year with the team's highest placement in USI's history. The team placed 5th in its division after executing its preliminary performance strong enough to move...

Dance teams goal is to win nationals

Dance team’s goal is to win nationals

Sarah Loesch March 31, 2015

Nationals are approaching for the dance team and with that comes its annual performance for friends and family in the Physical Activities Center. The team performed its nationals routine Sunday after...

Dance Team flys out to nationals

Dance Team flys out to nationals

Chris Procacina April 11, 2014

The USI dance team is ready to take its show on the road to Dayton, Fla., on April 9 where it will compete in nationals. The revamped routine was unveiled during an exhibition for family and friends Sunday...

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