Illinois College Lady Blues Dance Team Qualifies for Nationals in Orlando

Illinois College’s Lady Blues dance team qualifies for the national championship after a standout performance at the regional competition on Nov. 19 2025. The 13 member squad secured two second place finishes in poms and team performance, took third place in jazz, and received a "Be Bold" award for creative and fearless choreography. The results clinched a berth to the national event scheduled for April in Orlando.

The regional meet marks a milestone for a program that has shifted direction under coach Samantha Laster, who was hired in 2017 and pivoted the squad from spirit appearances toward competitive routines. The coach has guided a steady integration of tumbling and more athletic skills into the choreography, a change that the recent regional scores suggest is paying off. The team will use the college spring showcase as a live rehearsal to refine timing and transitions ahead of the national stage.

Team leaders plan to intensify practice and polishing work between now and April, focusing on execution and consistency to convert near top finishes into championship placings. With a compact 13 member roster, incremental gains in alignment and endurance can translate into measurable score improvements at the next level. The "Be Bold" award highlights judges recognition for risk taking in creative staging, an asset that can distinguish the Lady Blues against larger programs.

For Morgan County the qualification brings both community pride and practical considerations. Athletic success at the collegiate level can boost visibility for small colleges, aid student recruitment, and support fundraising efforts that cover travel and lodging costs for national competition. The spring showcase offers residents a local opportunity to see routines that will represent Illinois College in April, and the program is likely to seek broader community backing as it prepares for travel to Orlando.

Longer term, the program’s evolution since 2017 illustrates how investment in coaching and skill development can change a team’s competitive trajectory. The Lady Blues’ regional finishes provide a data point that competitive dance at small colleges can produce regional and national success within an eight year program development window. As the team intensifies training and finalizes routines in the spring, Morgan County residents can expect continued local performances and opportunities to support the squad as it heads to the national championship in April.