Mustangs picked third in GPAC preseason poll

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Morningside University dance team was picked third Thursday in the preseason Great Plains Athletic Conference coaches' poll.

Nine teams will compete in GPAC dance in 2026. Morningside earned 48 points in the preseason poll, with coaches unable to vote for their own programs.

Morningside is coming off a third-place finish at last season's GPAC Championships, posting a combined score of 88.52 — highlighted by the two highest scores. The Mustangs also qualified for the NAIA National Championships as an at-large selection last spring, finishing ninth among 12 teams in the national field.

Morningside opens its season Jan. 24 against Dordt University, followed by competitions on the first two weekends of February.

The GPAC Dance Championships are scheduled for March 7 in Orange City.