Cougarettes' Winning Performance to be Broadcast Nationally

PROVO -- Cougar fans will have a chance to see the BYU Cougarettes’ winning performance at the National College Dance Team Championships as broadcast plans have been announced. The Championships will air at 4 p.m. MT Saturday on Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain, which can be found on channel 52 for Comcast subscribers in Utah or on DISH Network channel 414.

The Cougarettes won the national dance title for the eighth time in 13 years in the competition held April 9 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Competing against schools from all over the country at the NDA National Championships, the Cougarettes recorded a score of 9.860, edging out the University of Louisville (9.831) for the 2010 title. The 20-member squad posted the highest score of all three divisions, giving BYU the Grand National Championship as well.

“This means a lot to our program. We didn’t have a chance to compete last year, so coming back this year to win it all is very exciting,” said Cougarette head coach Jodi Maxfield. “We've been working hard since last April, and I believe this was the best routine we've ever performed. I'm so proud of the girls for their hard work, dedication and the way they represented Brigham Young University.”

The BYU Cougarettes are categorized as a precision dance team, but in fact the scope and breadth of their focus is much more varied, including jazz, hip hop and pom. The Cougarettes captured its first National Collegiate Dance Championship in 1997 and has since won titles in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and now 2010. In addition, the Cougarettes have finished in the Top 4 three other times.

Considered the elite college dance program in the country, BYU Cougarettes have gone on to perform for the Walt Disney Co., Universal Studios, Opryland, Broadway, professional dance companies, as well as National Basketball Association dancers. The Cougarettes also performed at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.