SPORTS: TAMIU Dance sets sights on first place with new ‘Headlines’ theme for new season
By Kimberling Manning
Bridge contributing writer
Published Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026
After consecutive second-place national finishes, the Texas A&M International University Spirit Dance team enters its new season with one goal in mind: first place—and a new theme to go with it.
Assistant coach Erika Gallegos said the program’s focus for the coming season will be one word: “Headlines.”
Members of TAMIU Spirit perform a dance routine during the national competition April 8 to 10 in Daytona Beach.
This year, I want my theme to be ‘Headlines,’” Gallegos said. “They are making the news. They are on their way to their goal and now people are starting to see it.”
The theme represents a change, not only in performance, but also in visibility. Previously, the public overlooked the team compared to other spirit groups, but their recent success initiated a shift in perception, Gallegos said.
“I feel like dance would just kind of get pushed to the side before,” she said. “Now people see them. What they’re doing is impacting the community.”
The new season follows a strong year in which TAMIU (82.45) finished a mere 2.1 points behind the Division II national first-place winners, Oklahoma Baptist University (84.55), at the 2026 NCA & NDA College National Championship in Daytona Beach. TAMIU defeated Roosevelt University (82.225), which took third at nationals.
During nationals, TAMIU managed an incredible comeback, competing from a fourth-place ranking during the preliminary round before edging out Roosevelt to snag the silver medal.
Citing a 90% veteran return rate this season, the team’s official Facebook page and Instagram accounts identified this year’s squad as, “one of the strongest and deepest rosters in program history into the 2026-2027 season.”
The results, rather than just the end goal, have fostered a renewed sense of commitment from the returning dancers. Senior Fernanda Sanchez said the team’s mindset morphed from consistency to hunger.
“We’ve been consistent in finishing second,” Sanchez said. “Now it’s about improving and going for first place. We are hungrier.”
Much of that progress stems from the team’s rigorous training schedule. Dancers spend hours at a time, multiple days weekly, working on full routines mixed with conditioning.
“It’s not just running dances one time,” Sanchez said. “It’s back-to-back routines for almost two hours and then conditioning after. You have to be disciplined.”
Preparation began well in advance of the fall semester. May offered a brief break before the program shifted into recruitment, roster building and summer training sessions where coaches introduced choreography and team expectations.
“Early preparation is key,” Gallegos said.
This especially applies to freshmen who are adapting to the intensity of collegiate performance.
“College dancing is not like high school,” she said. “We spend the summer getting them ready, showing them what it’s all about.”
The first major milestone for this season will be Maroon Madness, a fall exhibition that both introduces the team to fans and gives coaches a chance to see how the performers handle audience pressure. The event also serves as an evaluation for skills that could be utilized later in national routines.
“This is our first major show,” Sanchez said. “It helps us get used to playing in front of a crowd so when we get to nationals, it’s easier.”
Competition aside, both the coaching staff and the dancers said fan support helps propel the team forward. They believe this season will showcase a new dimension of performance, supported by an improved squad and increasing local notoriety.
“We are stronger than we have ever been,” Sanchez said. “We want to prove that to everybody: the fans, the students, and the families. We want to surprise them when they see us.”
Winning isn’t the only objective for Gallegos.
“It’s about making the program a permanent force,” she said. “Not just at the University, but all across South Texas. We are here, and we are here to stay. We want to make a statement and make Laredo proud.”
As the new season dawns, the message throughout the team remains clear: They aren’t looking for validation anymore; they are ready to write their own headlines.
