By Isabella Sanchez

After closing out the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics division with four national titles for these programs, Roosevelt University’s dance and cheer programs are preparing to compete at a new level this April.

Before heading to Daytona Beach, Florida, fans can watch both teams perform their routines alongside other Chicagoland programs on Sunday, March 29, at the Goodman Center. 

Spirit coordinator and head dance coach Lindsay Jones said the program’s growth since its early years has been “astronomical.” 

“We’ve gone from eight dancers and 11 cheerleaders to 23 dancers and 25 cheerleaders in five seasons,” Jones said. “Three cheer national titles, one dance title – and dance always placing in the top three.”

Roosevelt cheer won three NAIA national championships in the intermediate small coed division, while dance won a national title in hip hop last season. 

“The success has strengthened recruiting efforts and increased the program’s visibility,” Jones said. 

High school athletes now recognize the program through social media and national results, resulting in leading more prospective students to consider Roosevelt.

The move to Division II presents new challenges.

Larger institutions often have deeper pools of athletes to recruit from. Participation at nationals is optional, meaning teams often don’t know their full field of competitors until weeks before the event.

“Moving is just always uncomfortable,” Jones said. “Since I’ve never competed in Division II, we don’t really know what to expect.” 

Preparation for the new division has included increasing the difficulty and technical level of routines as the program continues to grow. 

For senior captain Rubi Isais-Martinez, competing at nationals in her final year carries a personal significance. 

“To compete at NDA nationals my senior year. Not only as a senior but as a four-year athlete is truly an honor,” Isais-Martinez said. “I know how much hard work it took to get here.”

After winning a NAIA national title last season, Isais-Martinez said the transition initially felt like “starting from square one.” 

“Division II meant stronger competition and a new level of challenge,” she said. “But I also understood that moving to Division II would push us to grow.”

She said this year’s choreography is more technically demanding and performance driven, raising expectations for the team. 

“The choreography is harder, cleaner and requires more performance quality,” Isais-Martinez said. “It’s pushing us to become stronger and more disciplined dancers.”

Beyond physical preparation, she said the team has focused on maintaining a strong mindset. 

“The biggest challenge has been not comparing ourselves to teams that have already been competing in this division for years,” Isais-Martinez said. “At the end of the day, all we can control is our performance.”

Jones said success at nationals goes beyond their placement. 

“Our whole goal as a coaching staff is to provide real life lessons. Showing up, being on time, being fully prepared and being a good person,” she said.

Still, the program looks to make an impression in its Division II debut. 

“I want people to think that we’re the underdogs,” Jones said. “And I want to walk away with the crowd going, ‘What is that? Where did these people come from?’”

As Roosevelt transitions into Division II competition, both programs aim to build on their championship foundation while showing themselves at a higher level of collegiate competition.