The evening started out challenging for Nedoroscik. He and Arnold earned 25 points for their cha-cha-cha to the song “Bailar.” While that’s a great score for the first half of the season, couples traditionally rank higher in the semi-finales.

At the end of the semi-finals of “Dancing with the Stars,” New England Olympians Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher stood beneath the spotlight on the ballroom’s staircase with their partners Rylee Arnold and Alan Bernsten. The drums sounded, and the ballroom was colored red as they awaited the hosts to announce which of them was eliminated.