ORLANDO, Fla. -- For the second year in a row, the Western Michigan Dance Team has won the College Classic Division I Large Jazz National Championship. 

The Broncos topped the 23-team field with a score of 94.48, just edging out Louisiana and Oregon. WMU's score was the second-highest across all categories and school divisions at the event.

"I am so honored and excited to bring home our second National Championship title in a row to Kalamazoo and the City of Champions," said head coach Susan Blount. "The drive and the heart my 24 athletes have is unmatched. This year our focus was doing it for ourselves and doing something we love with the people we love. That love and passion is what got us another National Championship."

"This season, our team was bumped up into a large division, making the competition tougher. Our team only used this as motivation to fight for what we wanted to defend. Advancing directly to finals and holding a third place spot was an accomplishment on its own. Going into finals our focus was our why. Dancing together for one last time as the 2025-2026 team and pouring our hearts out of the stage. Doing exactly that is what earned us the National Championship. It has been an incredible journey coaching not only incredibly talented athletes but young women who grow each day to be the best versions of themselves no matter what. I am so proud to coach this team and am thankful for it all."

Western Michigan also competed in the Spirit Showdown, taking third place. 

"I'd like to congratulation Coach Susan Blount and our very talented group of dancers for this fantastic achievement," said WMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae. "We are all so proud of this repeat accomplishment in the City of Champions!"