Once a three-sport athlete, Worcester Polytechnic Institute sophomore Matt Perrone gets more ladies now than ever before — as a ballroom dancer.

“I started to compete and got good at it,” he said. “That’s why being an athlete helps because you can do that kind of stuff and not get tired . . . It’s something social to do that’s not going to the movies or sitting at someone’s house.”

Perrone was one of more than 500 dancers, representing 23 colleges and dance studios from the Northeast, who participated in the seventh annual Boston University Terrier Dancesport Competition this weekend, hosted by the BU Ballroom Dance Team. The competition featured more than 20 dance styles at four different levels.

The $35 competition fee for each dancer allowed competitors to compete in up to four different styles at two different levels. It also included a ticket to Saturday night’s show, which featured reigning United States National Professional Rhythm Dance Champions Jose Decamps and Joanna Zacharewicz, who drew more than 300 spectators.

“The couple was incredibly well received,” BU Ballroom Dance Team President Brittany Falconer said. “We were incredibly lucky to have these guys.”

“I’ve spent most of the last three months at [the Student Activities Office] getting to know everyone by name,” the College of Communication junior said. “There are countless hours of paperwork.”

Booking the venue, catering and inviting the judges and competitors were just a few of the preparatory tasks, Falconer said.

Although dancers rumbaed, waltzed and quickstepped in the two-day competition with ease, they said it was the result of months of practice with private coaches and partners.

BU Ballroom Dance Team member Dana Gannon placed in six events this weekend. The College of Arts and Science freshman said she practices with her partner almost every day, more than 10 hours a week.

“It’s a lot more of a sport than people think it is, and a lot more goes into it,” Gannon said. “I used to play soccer, and this has kicked my ass. It’s a much bigger commitment.”

BU’s competition is one of the biggest in the area, after Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute Technology’s competitions. Novice events — in which dancers are allowed to compete without strict choreography guidelines — are unique to BU, Falconer said.

Preparation for each collegiate team is different, offering private lessons or coaches. Some teams even have tryouts while others welcome dancers of all abilities.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst senior Angie Punwani and sophomore Kika Piazza said they have been dancing since they were young, but only started ballroom in college.

“Its structure and fun at the same time,” Punwani, her team’s president, said. “And you work every single muscle in your body.”

Piazza added that dancing is physically and mentally beneficial.

“Dancing can be clarifying,” Piazza said. “It’s healthy in every way . . . it’s about different types of communication and teamwork.”