DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Vanguard dance completed the National Dance Alliance Championship this past weekend and the squad made a strong debut at the NCAA Division II level.  VU finished fifth in the Hip Hop category and placed sixth in the Pom category, as Charlotte Bero, Maddie Cervantes, Hailey Collins, Colette Hogan, Lindsey Krueger, Harlie Martinez, Kayla Mascolina, Chloe McLeroy, Jizelle Rodas, and Megan Tillotson all carried the torch for VU.
 
The Lions scored an 86.2286 in Pom, finishing in sixth, one spot shy of the top five teams that progressed to the finals in the discipline.  VU topped Texas A&M International, Assumption (Mass.), Queens College (NY), and Southern New Hampshire. 
 
However, the Blue and Gold did not let that dampen their spirit entering the Hip Hop routine the next day, as the Lions tallied an 82.97 in the preliminary act, which allowed VU to progress to the finals.  Vanguard improved on the final day of the competition, posting an 83.6 to finish in fifth. 

Said Head Coach Taylor Smith, "I'm really proud of the accomplishments that were made this weekend.  The DII category is a completely different word, filled with teams that have been established for years.  Being able to compete at this level, and hold your own, is an incredible achievement for such a young team!  I'm looking forward to making Vanguard one of those established names and keep building on those traditions in the years to come."