The inaugural 2026 Hall of Honors

The 2026 NOVAS Winners

Celebrating the people, programs, teams and ideas that moved cheer and dance forward—and preserving the story of an unforgettable first year.

Nashville, Tennessee · September 28, 2026

Explore the Winners Watch the Awards Replay

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2026 Hall of Honors

Meet the Winners

Step through all 22 competitive award winners from the inaugural THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS. Each official graphic is presented exactly as part of the 2026 winner collection.

South Jersey Storm Outstanding Achievement in Social Presence – Gym, Studio, or Team

FloCheer & Dance Outstanding Achievement in Social Presence – Industry Professional

Liam Potolsky Professional Athlete of the Year

Lewis McClendon Choreographer of the Year Cheer

Lee Eaves Choreographer of the Year Dance

Bowd Beal Music Producer of the Year Cheer

Tyler Scott Music Producer of the Year Dance

Let's Talk Cheer Outstanding Achievement in Cheer or Dance Podcasting

Imani Myles Judge of the Year Cheer

Jesus Acosta Judge of the Year Dance

NCA All Star Nationals Outstanding Achievement in Awards Ceremony Production

AIA Innovative Cheer Event of the Year

The Dance Majors Innovative Dance Event of the Year

Rebel Athletics Dance Vendor/Supplier of the Year or Best Product of the Year

Pyramid Athletics – California Small Gym of the Year

Rain Athletics Medium Gym of the Year

Stingray Allstars Large Gym of the Year

Star Performance Center Dance Studio of the Year

Misty Hodges The Quiet Achiever Award

ProCheer League Game Changer Award

Victor Rosario Man of the Year

Tannaz Kirichkow Woman of the Year

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All 2026 Winners

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Browse all 22 competitive award winners by category group. Select any official winner graphic to open it larger, then continue into Special Honors for the Pioneers inductees and Jeff Webb Cornerstone Award.

Legacy recognized on the inaugural stage

Special Honors

Beyond the competitive award categories, THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS recognized pioneers whose influence helped shape all star cheer and dance, alongside the Jeff Webb Cornerstone Award.

Pioneers of All Star Dance

Pioneers of All Star Cheer

2026 NOVAS special honor graphic for Shannon Smith — Pioneers of All Star Cheer Inductee

2026 NOVAS special honor graphic for Tommie Martin — Pioneers of All Star Cheer Inductee

Jeff Webb Cornerstone Award

Kathy Penree

A dedicated featured placement within the 2026 Hall of Honors for the inaugural Jeff Webb Cornerstone Award recipient.

September 28, 2026 · Nashville, Tennessee

Relive the Night

A curated mix of photographs and video moments from the inaugural NOVAS—designed to feel like an event story, not a file dump. Photos open full-screen; videos load only when selected.

A curated look back at the people, performances and moments that brought the inaugural THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS to life.

Relive the night

Watch the 2026 Awards Show

Return to Nashville and experience the inaugural THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS—from the stage, the stories and the recognition to the moments that made the night unforgettable.

Watch the Full Replay

▶ THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS · 2026 Awards Show Replay

Why THE NOVAS exists

Recognition for the People Moving the Sport Forward

Hosted by MotUS, THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS was created as a premier celebration of the people, programs, innovation and achievements shaping the future of cheer and dance.

The inaugural year was built as an industry-wide journey—from public nominations and finalist recognition to public voting and a live awards night in Nashville. Coaches, athletes, gym and studio leaders, choreographers, producers, judges, creators, event professionals and visionaries all became part of the story.

2026 The inaugural NOVAS

22 Competitive award winners

7 Special honors & inductees

Nashville September 28, 2026

How the inaugural year was built

From an Idea to Awards Night

The NOVAS was designed as more than a single night. It gave the industry multiple opportunities to recognize, celebrate and participate.

The Vision

A new awards experience built around recognition, innovation and the people moving cheer and dance forward.

Nominations

The industry was invited to shine a light on deserving people, programs, teams, businesses and ideas.

Finalists

Official finalists were celebrated and introduced across THE NOVAS digital experience.

Public Voting

The community had its opportunity to participate before the awards moved to the live stage.

Nashville

On September 28, 2026, the inaugural winners and special honorees were recognized live at THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS.

With gratitude

This night belonged to an industry.

To everyone who submitted a nomination, every nominee and finalist whose story was shared, everyone who voted, every presenter and performer who took the stage, every partner who believed in the vision, and every guest who joined us in Nashville or watched from home—thank you for helping create the first THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS.

2026 partners

With Gratitude to Our Partners

The inaugural NOVAS was brought to life with the support of partners who helped elevate the experience on stage, online and throughout the industry.

MotUS Host

CheerTheory Official Media Partner

Primo Ticketing Gold Sponsor