DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Davenport University Dance Team returned this week from Nationals with some new hardware. The team, made up of 14 student-athletes, secured their fourth title and defended their 2021 Championship in the team division.

"This back-to-back championship would not have been possible without our incredible leadership team this season," Head Coach Kylene Geyer stated. "The team was layered with returning fifth-year captains, Gabrielle Kolm and Madison Letwinski, as well as two fourth-year captains in Morgan Bernstein and Jenna Belian. Additionally, the team elevated two other teammates, Paige Sink and Morgan McElveny, into leadership roles with the team."

Geyer continued, "By layering our leadership and truly succession planning for continuing the legacy, we provided a platform for all of our athletes to grow and continue the fight and passion to not only beat our competition, but beat our past scores, and we did just that."

The 2021-2022 team attended a home camp at Western Michigan University in the fall after their camp in Port Huron, Fla. got cancelled. At NDA camp, the team secured a silver bid to college nationals. The team was able to take part in more performances this year compared to years past, providing the team bonding, technical advancement, and learning opportunities needed to be successful. 

At this years showing, the team brought two competitive pieces against a pool of 10 other teams in the Division II category. Both routines made it to finals, with their Open piece choreographed by Shannon Sandvik scoring the highest in team history with a 91.77 after the finals round. The team ended up in second place after finals, behind the Lindenwood Lionettes with a 93.57. 

Their Team Routine piece choreographed by Brandi Tucker, had the highest score walking into finals with an 89.84. Davenport University maintained the score out of finals to beat out second place team, Assumption University with an 87.26. This crowned the Davenport University Dance Team as Back-2-Back National Champions in Team Routine Division II.

Sweetening the experience for the team was being able to travel back with Davenport Universities Cheer team and celebrate their National title as well.

"As coaches, we are so incredibly humbled to be able to bring back these Championships to our University. We are thankful and know this would not be possible without the support from our University and Athletic Department. Thank you for providing these female student-athletes with the platform to compete," Geyer stated. 

This was the highest attended event in the history of the NCA/NDA competition with over 20,000 spectators, 355 teams, and 54 divisions. The team is now focusing on celebrating their accomplishments at their annual banquet as well as building next season's roster. All interested dancers looking to audition should email Coach Geyer directly at kgeyer1@davenport.edu.