ABC

College basketball star Arike Ogunbowale and Gleb Savchenko perform next, dancing the salsa to “Them Girls” by Whitney Myer.

Carrie Ann Inaba praises her ease, but encourages her to wear heels instead of sneakers next week. Len Goodman likes the energy, but says she needed more hip action. Bruno Tonioli says he wanted to get out there and dance with her. He warns her, however, to watch her shoulders. They score a 20.

Watch Arike Ogunbowale and Gleb Savchenko’s Glittering Salsa

Welcome to “Dancing with the Stars” season 26! Athletes are trading in their sneakers for sequins as the new, four-week season premieres tonight. Stars from the sports world will compete for the coveted Mirrorball trophy during the special, all-athlete season. Ten couples will dance a cha cha, salsa, Viennese waltz or foxtrot during the two-hour-long premiere and, by the end of the episode, two people will be eliminated based on live voting and judges’ scores.

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Ogunbowale is a Notre Dame women’s basketball player. According to ABC, “Ogunbowale is a junior at Notre Dame and member of the women’s basketball team, who recently won the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. She was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player this year. During her college career, Ogunbowale has earned multiple honors, including: Naismith Trophy Top-30, NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Performer, NCAA All-Regional Team, WBCA All-Region Team, ACC All-Tournament First-Team, EspnW National Player of the Week (11/21/16), Preseason WNIT Tournament MVP and ACC Player of the Week.”

“Dancing with the Stars: Athletes” is hosted by Tom Bergeron and sports broadcaster Erin Andrews. The judging panel is composed of ballroom experts Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Their scores, along with America’s votes, determine who gets to stay and who is sent home as couples vie for the coveted Mirrorball trophy during the special, four-week season.

The current contestants include Olympic figure skaters Adam Rippon and Mirai Nagasu, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Notre Dame basketball player Arike Ogunbowale. Other athletes who are competing this season include Chris Mazdzer, Jamie Anderson, Jennie Finch, Johnny Damon, Josh Norman and Tonya Harding.

The all-athlete edition of “Dancing with the Stars” airs every Monday night at 8 p.m. on ABC.

What did you think of their performance tonight? Sound off in the comments section below!

Photo credit: ABC

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