Williamsburg, KY- For the first time in program history, the Patriots dance team earned a bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Let's take a look back on their 2022 season, as Cumberlands gears up for the national tournament this weekend.

REGULAR SEASON RECAP

UC tallied their first wins of the season on January 21, at the Patriots Spirit Invite in Williamsburg, KY. UC tallied a first round score of 86.5 and a second round score of 88.67 to dominate in their first competition of the season. The two scores mark the two highest scores ever in program history. Cumberlands took second on two occasions in a dual with Missouri Baptist back on February 22. During the first round, UC recorded a score of 82.5 which was just over one point behind the Spartans' 83.87. During the second round, the Patriots posted a score 80.7 which was two points behind Missouri Baptist's second round score.

On the season, UC averaged an overall competition score of 83.14, which ranks seventh overall in the NAIA.

MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Cumberlands finished in third place at Mid-South Conference tournament this year, after recording an overall score of 82.80. Thomas More, who earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament, led all teams at the competition with a score 93.50 to take home the MSC Crown.

NAIA REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

The UC dance team garnered a fourth place finish at their NAIA Regional in Miami Gardens, FL on February 19. The competition featured two rounds with the first round worth 25%, while the second round was worth 75% of their overall score. Cumberlands received a first round score of 79.3, while the Patriots boasted a second round score of 77.7. UC finished with a final score of 78 to finish a few points behind first place.

NAIA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Twelve teams qualified for the national tournament, with five automatic qualifiers and seven at-large bids. Preliminaries for the NAIA National Tournament is set to take place on March 11 at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, MI, with the final round of competition taking place on March 12. The Patriots are set to perform on Friday at 8:30 PM EST for their preliminary round.

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