Bearcat Steppers become Back-to-Back National Champions

MARYVILLE, Mo (KQTV) -- A local collegiate dance team has brought back its second National Championship in two years.

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat Steppers Dance Team competed in Daytona, Florida, in two divisions at the National Dance Alliance College championships.

The Steppers placed 7th in the Division II Jazz Division, but took home 1st place in the Pom Division.

Northwest beat Texas Woman's University and Oklahoma Baptist University, who took home second and third places, respectively.

Across all Pom teams, the Steppers scored second-highest with a final score of 95.51.

The team is coached by Taylor Merrill, and this is the team's second championship under Merrill's leadership.

The Steppers will be hosting tryouts for next year's team on Saturday, April 18th.