AVILA DANCE WINS FIFTH-STRAIGHT JAZZ NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, THIRD HIP HOP IN LAST FOUR YEARS
ORLANDO, Fla. – Continuing their incredible run of success, the Avila Dance team wrapped up an outstanding weekend at The College Classic to capture their fourth-straight NAIA Jazz National Championship on Sunday. The competition was even more special for the Glitter Girls as the program also took home the NAIA Hip Hop National Championship for the third time in the last four years.
Avila’s Hall of Fame Dance coach, Cindy Freeman, she could not have been any prouder of her team: “They have been ready to step on the floor for the last two weeks. They have had a fire in their belly from the moment we arrived in Orlando. I was so proud after hearing the judges’ cliques, they talked about how technically strong and athletic our team was. I believe that reflects how hard this team has worked since this past summer."
In the NAIA Jazz Final, Avila’s 89.96 score was head-and-shoulders above the competition, finishing more than six points ahead of St. Francis’ score of 83.54 and almost 10 points clear of Graceland’s 80.70.
On the Hip Hop side, the Glitter Girls faced six tough teams, but defeated them all with a final score of 89.88. Graceland’s final score of 85.72 was the next closest competition, but Avila continued its run of success to cement itself as one of the premier NAIA Dance programs in the nation.
The titles this weekend are the Glitter Girls’ eighth combined national titles in program history.
Avila was able to secure a spot in the finals with strong competition on Saturday’s preliminary rounds, finishing first in both the jazz (83.30) and hip hop (86.82) divisions.
The Glitter Girl senior class of Ciera Chambers, Ashley Galos, Brennleigh Towles and Emme Wingert finish their career as with arguably the most storied and successful student-athlete careers in the history of Avila athletics.
"This senior class told me during their freshman year that they were going to get a ring fitted for each of their fingers before they graduated. They sized their fourth ring yesterday and fulfilled their goal!” Freeman said.
