From Nov. 8-9, BYU held the annual DanceSport Championships in the WSC Ballroom, where ballroom dancers of all ages competed for various titles.
The competition featured various heats of couples grouped by age. Ages consisted of pre-teen, junior, youth and adult groups. Dancers performed a myriad of dance types, including the waltz, foxtrot, rumba, paso doble, jive and others. They were challenged with performing their routine on the dance floor amongst a large group of other couples, where judges rated their performances. Dancers worked towards the final competition as they earned callbacks from the judges each round.
“You just go out, you have fun. Sometimes you get fancy hardware and it’s very exhilarating,” BYU senior Jeremy Crane said, alluding to the trophy he held in his hand.
Crane won first place in the BYU Dance 380 Gold American competition.
“The people are what make it fun,” Crane remarked. “The dancing is also really fun, too, but the people are what keep me in it.”
Crane’s past partner, BYU graduate Francesca Budiman, also competed in DanceSport 2024.
“I absolutely live for the feeling of dancing on the competition floor. There’s all the lights and all the sparkles and super bedazzled dresses, and you kind of feel like you’re flying,” she said, describing why she loves ballroom dance.
The crowd was energized and enthusiastic in the WSC Ballroom. Nearly packed to the brim, the room gave way to talented dancers, not only from BYU, but from the entire nation.
Harlee Lott and Evan Zumwalt, a couple from Extreme Ballroom at Bonneville High School in Idaho, traveled to Provo to compete in the championships. Having danced for six to seven years, the couple has worked together for four years.
“I think the environment and the people make it different than a lot of other sports,” Lott commented. “The community is really good, and we’re all supporting.”
Lott and Zumwalt competed in the youth age group. The couple advanced to the finals for the waltz, tango and foxtrot, where they earned fifth place.
Desiree Winterton, a 14-year-old competitor, performed in the junior ballroom dance group with her partner Braden Moe. Having practiced only since the summer, they danced the waltz, tango and quick step.
“It’s been good, it’s very productive and very fun,” Winterton said, describing their training process.
BYU has been home to the DanceSport Championships since 2013. This year, more than 1,383 dancers entered the competition.
The DanceSport Championships began early in the morning and ran late into the evening both Friday and Saturday. Although its schedule was intense, it showcased one-of-a-kind talent and united the ballroom dance community throughout the nation into one hub on BYU campus.