York, Neb. -- The Vanguard University dance team participated in the NAIA National Qualifier event Saturday in Nebraska, hosted by York College.  VU ended the event in third out of the nine teams that comprised the field and will have to now wait and see if they get an at-large bid for the NAIA National Cheer and Dance Championships. 

What Happened?  The Lions faced off against many mid-west teams, with the field made up of Oklahoma City University, hosting York, Kansas Wesleyan, Southwestern, Bethel, University of St. Mary, Bethany, and local foe Hope International.  VU had the third-best score in the preliminary round, scoring a 66.4.  OKCU had a 79.17 to lead the way, with Hope second with a 70.4  York was fourth with a 53.6.

The final round saw the Blue and Gold improve their score to 69.37, giving the squad a total score of 68.63.  That would leave them in third, as OKCU finished with an 80.17 to finish in first.  HIU scored a final tally of 70.55 to remain in second and York was a distant fourth with a 54.22.  As the winner, OKCU, along with the other major tournament winners, received an automatic bid to the NAIA Championships.  The rest of the teams will have to wait for the selection committee to pick the teams that will also qualify.  

"I am so proud of this team and what we have accomplished," said Head Coach Taylor Smith.  "What we started as, and what we are now, are two different teams!  These girls have not only grown as athletes, but I have also seen them grow as a team and individually.  This is only the start for this team, and this was an amazing first season."