No Counts Given with Kyle Rush

In this episode of No Counts Given, we sit down with Taylor Vasek, Head Coach of the Minnesota Premier Dance Team at the University of Minnesota, to talk through her journey from dancer to coach and what it takes to lead a competitive program at a high level. From team culture and choreography choices to the pressure of Worlds and NDA, Taylor opens up about the lessons, challenges, and defining mo...

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Shan Stavropoulos and Ramona Kitching for a deep dive into the world of pom performance, judging, and routine construction. Thank you to our sponsors, this would not be possible without you. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Pom is more than sharp arms and clean visuals. The...

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Erin Alvarado, Head Coach of the Texas Tech Dance Team, for an educational conversation on coaching, choreography, and the evolution of competitive dance team performance. We couldn't do this without today's sponsor, Dance Team Union. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Erin shares her journey from dancer to coach, diving into the...

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Travis Lake, a trailblazing choreographer known for his work with programs like BYU, University of Minnesota, and Dance Mania All Stars, for an honest conversation about creativity, competition, and challenging the rules of the dance team industry. We couldn't do this without our sponsors, thank you! Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion...

Thank you for supporting No Counts Given this past year. I appreciate every single one of you that tune in weekly. I hope you enjoy this 2 hour ONE YEAR B-DAY episode. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsuppl...

The divisions everyone’s watching? Yeah… we’re breaking it ALL the way down. In this episode of No Counts Given, we’re diving into the DII, DI Small, and DI Large divisions from The College Classic… where the margins are tight, the pressure is real, and every single detail matters. This is where titles are earned… and where the conversation gets LOUD. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Shar...

The divisions that don’t always get the spotlight? Yeah… we’re putting them CENTER STAGE. We couldn't do this without our sponsors: Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskyleru...

Hannah Stutts (@hannahstutts) breaks down what it really takes to stand out in the dance and pro cheer world, and it’s not just talent. From her early days in Alabama to performing with a top NFL team, Hannah shares how she built a career by doing what most dancers are told not to do: show her personality. She dives into her journey through studio training, convention circuits, and pro cheer, reve...

Most teams are chasing perfection… but the programs winning RIGHT NOW are chasing something deeper. In this episode of No Counts Given , Kyle Rush breaks down the biggest global stages in the industry, the ICU World Cheerleading Championships and USASF Dance Worlds , and why these events are quietly reshaping the future of dance teams and “performance cheer”. From Team USA’s dominance to the rise...

In this episode, Coach Annie Rose Carroll takes us inside the rise of Baylor Dance, from her transition into coaching to building a program that’s both competitive and culture-driven. But this conversation doesn’t stop at Baylor… We’re also diving into some of the most talked-about conversations in the dance team world right now — from division shakeups to the pressure being placed on dancers earl...

Rochester isn’t just winning titles… They're building a legacy. In this episode, we sit down with Coach Lisa Niskar to unpack the evolution of one of the most dominant programs in the game. From a COVID-era rebuild to becoming a national powerhouse, this conversation dives into the culture, discipline, and intentionality that fuel Rochester’s success. We talk about injuries, pressure, leadership,...

Rebel vs. Varsity and the Industry Power Plays No One Can Ignore. In this episode, we break down the growing tension between Varsity and Rebel, the business moves shaping today’s cheerleading and dance landscape, and the bigger conversations the industry keeps dancing around. From event access and branding power to the real purpose of novice, intermediate, and advanced divisions, this is an honest...

Four DTU Nationals coaches pull back the curtain on what really goes down behind the scenes at one of the biggest events in the dance team world. From emotional highs and crushing lows to tough conversations about scoring transparency, judging consistency, and division structure, this roundtable gets real about the competition experience. The coaches break down everything from registration chaos a...

On this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down several conversations currently circulating across the dance team industry. We examine the 75/25 Day 1 vs Day 2 scoring split, the expanding OneBeat and Varsity partnership, and UDA’s proposal to restructure the Open division at College Nationals. We also look at the Hip Hop scoring conversation that emerged after Nationals and what it reve...

Our FINAL coverage episode for 2026 DTU Nationals! Stay tuned for next week, we have some 🔥 coming to NCG. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you.  Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com

The Battle at DTU Nationals is on full display. In this episode of No Counts Given , we’re putting some of the weekend’s top routines head-to-head and letting you decide who takes the win. No score breakdowns. No judging analysis. Just the routines. Kyle Rush showcases the standout performances from this division and turns it into a challenge for the audience: Who actually won The Battle? Watch th...

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Supply & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you! No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to some of the biggest teams in the nation, Rebel creates custom looks...

In this episode of No Counts Given, Amanda Gaines pulls back the curtain on Minnesota’s emotional nationals run... and we’re not keeping it surface level. We’re talking co-ed divisions. The jazz vs. lyrical debate that refuses to die. Judging transparency and whether teams truly trust the system. The mental toll media attention brings. And yes… the real story behind a Netflix documentary. This is...

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down the energy building toward Dance Team Union Nationals, spotlighting three routines already sparking conversation before teams even hit the floor. From Pasco's explosive, texture-driven hip hop to Bingham’s precision-packed jazz and Floyd Central’s legacy-defining pom, this episode digs into what separates contenders from champions. 🔥 MAJOR...

If you’ve ever felt invisible at a recruitment event, this conversation is for you. In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Rani and Lindsey, co founders of Sharpen Up, to pull back the curtain on the dance recruitment system and why it only seems to work for about 10% of dancers. Together, they unpack how Sharpen Up has spent season after season intentionally building events...

Nationals season is officially loading… and the clock is ticking. ⏱️ 🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you! No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to...

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush confronts the lack of representation, cultural context, and accountability surrounding UDA College Nationals... especially within hip hop judging. This is a necessary conversation about transparency, credit, and who gets a voice in shaping the future of competitive dance.

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you! No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to some of the biggest teams in the nation, Rebel creates custom looks f...

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you! Are you registered for The Rankings, Regionals, or Nationals yet? 👀 Don’t miss your shot to compete at one of the biggest dance team events of the season. Head to www.danceteamunion.com and get registered ASAP. This is a season you do not want to...

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you! No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to some of the biggest teams in the nation, Rebel creates custom looks f...