DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—The Bellarmine University Dance Team claimed the 2019 national championship at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships being held at the Ocean Center Exhibit Hall.  The Knights won the Dance Team Performance Division II competition, marking the second time Bellarmine has won the title, the first coming in 2015.
 
Originally qualifying for the national championship with its performance at summer camp, the Bellarmine Dance Team advanced to the finals after earning the top score in Thursday's preliminaries.  Although the preliminary scores didn't affect the finals' scores, Bellarmine did get to perform last in Friday's finals.  The Knights actually improved on their preliminary marks, scoring an 88.32 to outdistance second place Tarleton State for the title.
 
Bellarmine Coach Janine Klutka said that despite the team's youthfulness it competed like a much more experienced squad. "When you consider that, first off, this team is young - mostly freshmen and sophomores - and secondly, we are a small team with just nine on our roster, winning this national title becomes even more impressive," Klutka said.  "This team of athletes walked onto that nationals stage with the maturity, poise and confidence needed to take that title."
 
Even before leaving for Daytona, Klutka sensed this team was ready to compete for the title. "I could see they had what it took to win," she said. "I sat them down a few weeks ago and told them they may not believe they could push any further, but we as coaches knew they could and we would keep pushing until they hit their potential. They trusted the process; they trusted the coaching staff; and most importantly, they believed in themselves and each other. They kept giving, and they got further than I think they thought was possible early in the season."
 
Sophomore line captain McKenzie Ricklefs said the team was well aware of the success in 2015, and that helped motivate this year's team.  "It's been four years since we have had that title, and we came to Daytona this year ready to put up a fight to get it back," she said. "We have improved so much since the start of the season, and I couldn't be more proud.  It took a lot of team perseverance and focus.  My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, and I can't wait for next year."
 
Spirit captain Kielee Gonzalez echoed those sentiments. "The work was absolutely worth it," she said. "We have been waiting for our moment to shine after a long journey of hard work and early morning practices. We are so happy to be here and extremely grateful for the opportunity…swords up!"
 
The final results in the Dance Team Performance Division II:

1. Bellarmine
2. Tarleton State
3. Maryville University
4. Texas Woman's University
5. Oklahoma Baptist University
6. Assumption College
7. University of Southern Indiana
8. Gannon University

Members of the 2019 National Championship Team include:

Madison Brady
Kielee Gonzalez
Megan Justice
Kattiana Miller
Brianna Post
Emma Rhodes
McKenzie Ricklefs
Megan Sturgeon
Amy Walker

The team is coached by Janine Klutka, Megan Bryan, Megan Kanter, and Taylor Thompson.