Cougarettes capture 2014 NDA Collegiate National Championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 12, 2014) —The BYU Cougarettes wrapped up competition at the 2014 NDA Collegiate National Championship by successfully defending their national title in the Open Dance 1A Division and finishing runner up in the Hip-Hop Division 1A competition.

The Cougarettes, who have now captured 13 national championships since 1997, won the 2014 national title with a near perfect score of 9.916 to finish ahead of Purdue University (9.707), Texas Tech (9.647), Missouri (9.511) and North Carolina (9.502).

“We danced beautifully,”Cougarettes coach Jodi Maxfield said. “In a very difficult and fast-paced routine we received perfect scores in choreography, performance, difficulty, impressions and collegiate image.”

Not only did the Cougarettes' performance impress the judges, but it also brought a standing ovation from the crowd.

“I’m proud of the way we prepared for nationals,” Maxfield said. "We’ve worked all year to include both a right and left aerial cartwheel from the entire team. People are still talking about it.”

In the Hip-Hop 1A competition, BYU scored a 9.633 to finish second behind the University of Louisville (9.724). University of Connecticut placed third (9.282).

The Cougarettes have won at least one National Collegiate Dance Team Championship in 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 1999, 1998 and 1997. They were also United Spirit Association National Champions in 2005 and 2006.