SDAA Reflection & Results - Black Hills Aerial Cup 2026

We just returned from the 2026 Black Hills Aerial Cup. The weekend was filled with so many proud moments, memories built with friends, and a bit of adversity. The resounding feeling at the end of all of it from our team is pride. We are proud of the successes of our team, the integrity and sportsmanship they showed, and of the community we have built.

As a studio that focuses heavily on performance, we love the thrill and opportunity to compete. However, we never force anyone to put themselves in a position they don't want to be in. We were thrilled to have 16 competitors (we had 18 signed up, but two were not able to compete) who wanted to showcase their talents and represent South Dakota Aerial & Arts. Our team was made up of kids, teens, and adults. We loved being able to represent our talents across multiple age groups and divisions, ranging from beginner to advanced. We believe everyone is capable of performing at any stage of their aerial journey.

Our coaches also extended their help to a few students from another local studio prior to the competition. They worked on helping refine their routines, and leveling up their performances. Despite them not competing under our studio, we were happy to support high-level students with their routines, and serve as a mentor/coach both prior to and at the competition.

We spent many months preparing routines, with many of our performance team kids and adults utilizing and refining their fall competition and/or showcase routines. This was the first routine many of our students had ever performed, and it was amazing to see how their strength and confidence grew from fall to winter.

Many of our team members travelled to Rapid City on Friday, and we partnered with Flying Lotus to host an open gym. It was great to expose our students to another aerial studio and continue to create partnerships and friendships with other talented aerial communities. We were greeted with patience and kindness, and this set a great tone for the weekend.

Coming into Saturday, our team was ready to take the stage - and it was good they were, because our students kicked off the event! We had performances throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, with a total of 23 routines. We are proud that none of our students got stuck, everyone remembered to bow, and their facial expressions and storylines were on point (so were their toes!). Our coaches and students worked through some unexpected challenges, like the competition schedule running behind that impacted some bedtimes, potential plagiarism of a student's routine, and mishaps with props that led to some unexpected (yet fun) chaos.

Despite all of this, we were able to come together to support one another and cheer for all of the talented athletes from studios across the Midwest. Our students strengthened their friendships with their teammates, we made connections and memories with other studios, and left feeling inspired (shoutout to Bjo, a 76-year-old performer from Flying Lotus who moved the whole audience to tears).

Now let's talk about results. Let me preface with this - as a studio, we love taking home medals and showcasing our work. However, this is never our main goal in competing. This is a reminder to all of you that your worth is not tied to your placement or the number of medals you win. There were routines that blew us away from our students who didn't place - this doesn't change how proud we are of each and every one of our students.

• 16 Competitors

• 23 Routines

• 18 Medals

  • 1st - 7

  • 2nd - 10

  • 3rd - 1

• 3 Judges' Choice/Special Awards

  • Best Music

  • Best Costume

  • Judge's Choice

• 1 Team Recognition Award

  • For student growth, and in the aerial community

Last year, we brought 6 performers to the Black Hills Aerial Cup. This growth speaks for itself and is a reflection of the passion and hard work of each and every one of our coaches. Thank you to the families and students who support us. We will be compiling feedback to send to the competition to continue to support the growth and betterment of the aerial community. If you attended and have feedback to share, please send it to info@sdaerialarts.com.

Now we set our sights on our spring aerial showcase, summer performance opportunities, and finalizing the locations and high-level schedule of the 2026 Dakota Aerial Championship. As always, we invite you to partake in or attend our competition and aerial classes. We'll always make room for you.

Everyone belongs in the sky <3

Katie Critzer | Co-Owner & Head Coach at South Dakota Aerial & Arts