The Northern Arizona University Dance Team won the 2013 USA Collegiate Championship in the hip hop division, marking the team’s first national title in program history.
The squad defeated in-state rival Arizona, as well as five other Pac-12 schools in winning the team honor Monday in Anaheim.
“I am so proud of this team,” said Cassie Laughlin, director of Cheer and Dance. “To win the program’s first national championship is a testament to how hard these girls work each and every day.”
The squad returned from the UDA National Championship event in Florida this January with improvements in mind following its sixth-place finish. Laughlin noted that the team took everything the judges said a couple months ago and pushed each day to get better.
“To go from sixth to first is a dream come true for all of us,” she said.
The NAU Dance Team also competed this weekend in jazz, placing seventh in the Open Dance competition.
Hey there;
I am going to be participating in the ISEP exchange program next year, and NAU was my top pic! One of the reasons was because of the hip hop team! When I was deciding on schools to choose, I saw the Hop Hop Dancers routine from the 2013 Dance Team National Championships at Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort. I have been a dancer for 7 years, and hip hop is my passion. Congrats on the Title! So exciting, and hopefully I will be attending NAU next Fall!
Brittany Stagg