Kaffenberger named NAIA Dancer of the Year
Freshman Josie Kaffenberger was named the NAIA Dancer of the Year. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native posted the top score in the tryout process to claim the honor.
Kaffenberger was also named an NAIA First Team All-American. She was one of an NAIA-leading 12 Bees named to one of the three All-America teams. Ten SAU dancers earned first-team recognition.
The All-America teams are determined by the national championship judges. Competitors are graded on a scale where a score of 16.0 or better earns First Team honors, a score between 14.5-15.99 earns Second Team honors, and a score between 12.0-14.49 earns Third Team recognition. Student-Athletes are recorded doing four elements: range leaps, triple pirouette, two 8-count turns, and dance choreography. They are graded on a scale of 1-5 ranging from poor form and technique to superior form and technique.
Kaffenberger helped the SAU Dance Team win its fourth NAIA National Championship. The team posted an overall score of 92.49 at the 2024 Championships. St. Ambrose also won NAIA Championships in 2018, 2021 and 2023.