Paige Russo has been head coach for the dance team at Southwestern since April 2021. Under the direction of Russo, the Southwestern dance team ended their 2025-26 season at the Dance Team Union College Classic National Championships with a national runner up finish in team performance, 3^rd place finish in pom & jazz, as well as a fourth place finish in hip hop.

During the 2025-26 season, 2nd place college pom, 3^rd place college hip hop & jazz at ISDTA state, Dance Team Union Regional Runner Up Pom, 4^th place finishes in both hip hop & jazz. Under the direction of Russo, the Southwestern Dance Team has taken many top honors, judge choice awards and made program history on many occasions. 

Russo, a lifetime dancer, was born and raised in Creston. She graduated from Creston High School where she was a four-year member of the Peppers Dance Team. Russo received a Division 1 rating in the Iowa State Drill Team Association Solo Competition, four varsity letters, and multiple team placings at the ISDTA competition. She danced at The Spotlight School of Dance, located in Creston, for 14 years where she received The Spotlight Dancer of the Year, multiple solo and group awards, and was a member of the competition team for 10 years.

During college, Russo was a member of the Southwestern Community College Dance team and received a Division 1 rating in the pom category at the Iowa State Drill Team Association Competition.  Russo earned her associate degree from Southwestern and her bachelor's degree in business from Buena Vista University. She resides in Creston with her husband, Devin and their son: Kallen.