NW Missouri Times

A Northwest Missouri State University dance team has achieved a notable victory at a national championship event. The Bearcat Steppers secured the top spot in the Division II Pom category at the National Dance Association College National Championships, held in Daytona Beach, Florida, from April 9 to April 13. This result adds another national championship trophy to the university's collection.

The team's accomplishments did not stop there, as they also finished second in the Division II Jazz category. Reflecting on the team's performance, Aleah Jakobe, the captain of the Bearcat Steppers and a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in applied health science, said, “It was the best feeling in the world. All the hard work we put in all season, we came together as a team and went through all these hard practices just to put our best foot forward on stage. Then it went our direction and it was just the best feeling that it could have ever been.”

The national championships hosted college and university dance teams from across the United States, showcasing a range of styles, including jazz, hip hop, and pom.

The Bearcat Steppers, Northwest Missouri State University's dance team, perform at all home football and basketball games as well as at various campus and community events. They are currently guided by Taylor Merrill, who is completing her first year as head spirit coach at the university. Merrill herself is an alumna of Northwest and a former member of the Bearcat Steppers.

This victory marks the team's first national championship since winning the Universal Dance Association’s Game Day competition in 2018.