DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- After performing in the pre-lims on Thursday evening, the CNU Storm competitive dance team finished fourth at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals. Christopher Newport, led by head coach Taylor Macina, finished with a score of 80.675. With the fourth-place finish, the CNU Storm matched the finest finish by the program since at least 2013. 

Competing in the Team Performance Division III category, the Captains were taking on a talented group of schools including Montclair State University, UW-La Crosse, Texas at Dallas, and Concordia (Chicago). The top three teams advanced to Friday's Finals and will compete for the national championship. 

Teams competing in the Team Performance Division perform a choreographed routine not exceeding 2 minutes and 15 seconds to demonstrate their style and expertise. Routines must incorporate at least 30 consecutive seconds of Jazz, Pom, and Hip Hop and each style is scored by NDA College judges. Scores are factored in using categories including collegiate image, performance impression, and execution and choreography in each of the aforementioned dance categories. 

On Thursday night, the Captains tallied a raw score of 64.95 with a 0.5-point deduction in their routine to finish fourth overall. Fans can watch a replay of the CNU Storm performance by clicking the link here and subscribing to Varsity TV.

Macina and the CNU Storm have competed at NDA College Nationals in each of the last four years and the 2025 Captains posted the highest finish in that stretch. Macina took over the program in 2016 and the CNU Storm also appeared at NDA College Nationals from 2016-1019. As a member of the CNU Storm herself, the Captains notched a fifth-place finish in 2013.

CNU Storm - NDA College Nationals Performances Since 2013
2025 - 4th (80.675)
2024 - 5th (84.825)
2023 - 11th (79.8)
2022 - 7th (83.86)
2019 - 5th (84.20)
2018 - 4th (84.96)
2017 - 6th 
2016 - 6th (89.55)
2015 - 10th
2013 - 5th (85.67)

(CNU Storm did not compete in 2020 or 2021 due to the CoVID-19 global pandemic)