By MATT PIKE
For a second consecutive year, Northwest Missouri State University’s Bearcat Steppers dance team are returning to Maryville as national champions.
The Bearcat Steppers competed at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida last week, and earned a national championship in the Division II Pom category, defending the title earned a year ago. The dance team also placed seventh in Division II Jazz.
“Winning one national championship is special, but doing it twice in a row, especially in just my second year coaching this team, speaks to the heart, discipline and belief that our athletes bring every single day,” said Head Spirt Coach Taylor Merrill in a news release. “I couldn’t be more proud of how they’ve grown, trusted each other and represented our program on the national stage. We wouldn’t be able to make it happen without the generous support from the Steppers community and families.”
The national championships featured colleges and university dance teams from throughout the country competing in Division IA, Division I, Division II, Division III and Junior College classifications. Teams performed a variety of dance styles, including jazz, hip hop and pom.
The Bearcat Steppers perform at all Northwest home football and basketball games along with other campus and community events.
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