Linn-Mar Supernova Welcomes Geographically Diverse Field in 2026
- Quinn Masek
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor
The 2025 Linn Mar Supernova was a really impressive in-state competition, featuring titans from the Cedar Rapids and Des Moines areas. The 2026 Supernova looks to continue that trend while also making room for groups from South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Womens Division
Papillion-La Vista “Heart and Soul”
Urbandale “Affinity”
Hastings “Dynamic Edition”
Sioux Falls Washington “Stage Lights”
Cedar Rapids Kennedy “Protege”
Iowa City “Charisma”
There is no clear victor in the womens division, but there are a few groups that are worth noting. Affinity is now choreographed by Alex Schultz instead of Tori Brindis and Nick Quamme, so that could definitely shake things up. Plus, Stage Lights, after failing to win the treble division at Sioux Falls Jefferson last week, could step up their game and out perform their competition. Stage Lights is also the only group in this division that has already competed once this season.
Prep Division
Urbandale “Vitality”
Papillion-La Vista “Monarchy”
Prairie “Focal Point”
Waukee Northwest” Aurora”
As mentioned when talking about the womens division, Vitality is also seeing new leadership, so there is a chance this change will help them snag a win in this division. Aurora also had an interesting showing last weekend at Holmen, placing second to Onalaska Express with their baseball-themed show.
Mixed Division
Hastings “Riverside Company”
Urbandale “Studio”
Sioux Falls Washington “Classic Connection”
Papillion-La Vista “Free Spirit”
Prairie “The Ambassadors”
Iowa City “4th Avenue Jazz Company”
Cedar Rapids Kennedy “Happiness Inc.”
Waukee Northwest “Eos”
For three of these groups, this is not their first competition of the season (Sioux Falls Washington, Iowa City, and Waukee Northwest), in fact two of those groups already have a win going into the Supernova. Riverside Company historically doesn’t start their season off at their strongest, but rapidly improves before the next competition. Studio just underwent a huge culture change, and this could swing either way for them at Supernova. Classic Connection placed third last weekend at Sioux Falls Jefferson, so there is a chance that they will use the judges feedback to improve their show.
Free Spirit has searched for good results the last few years, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can turn things around here. The Ambassadors had an interesting 2025 season, winning their first competition but not hitting the win column for the rest of the season. 4th Avenue Jazz Company is coming off of a win after failing to win a competition last season, so there’s some momentum that could play into a good performance at Supernova. Happiness Inc. has been a very consistently good Cedar Rapids program for a few years, and there are no signs of that changing here. And finally, Eos is also coming off a win last week, and is also the crowd favorite at this competition.
Finals Predictions
Predictions represent the opinion of this contributor and not of HomeRoom Show Choir.
GC: Waukee Northwest “Eos” (BV/BC)
1st Runner Up: Urbandale “Studio” (BB)
2nd Runner Up: Cedar Rapids Kennedy “Happiness Inc.”
3rd Runner Up: Iowa City “4th Avenue Jazz Company”
4th Runner Up: Hastings “Riverside Company”
5th Runner Up: Prairie “The Ambassadors”
There are realistically a few directions this competition could go, but the safest answer is assuming that Eos will win Supernova back to back. Studio's preview night showed lots of promise, and a busy week of rehearsals and clinics this past week may be the key to passing Eos. As mentioned earlier, Happiness Inc is a very consistently good program, and it doesn’t look like that will change here. Since 4th Avenue Jazz Company is coming off a win, they could out perform some of the other groups that haven’t competed yet. Riverside Company is a choir that hits their stride later in the season, so it’s not unrealistic to assume they will appear in the bottom half of the top sixth. And finally, sixth place is a tossup between The Ambassadors and Classic Connection, and Prairie overall has a stronger show choir program than Sioux Falls Washington, so seeing The Ambassadors make finals ahead of Classic Connection is the safer option.