Laker Dance Team adds national titles to its collection

On the national stage, members of the Laker Dance Team captured two national titles and won the Jazz Battle at the 2026 College Classic National Championship.

“Our time at the national competition was an incredible reflection of the hard work, resilience and commitment this team has shown all season,” said Emma Desiderio, head dance coach and spirit program manager.

The Laker Dance Team competed in Division II Hip Hop and Division II Jazz, returning to GVSU as national champions in both categories. Additionally, the dance team’s Division II Jazz Performance earned the highest score across all teams and divisions at the competition.

“The team’s presence throughout the weekend reflected true professionalism, focus and heart,” Desiderio said. “They rose to every challenge with resilience, showed constant support for one another and fellow teams, and grew in confidence with each performance. What stood out most was their steadiness under pressure, their trust in their preparation and the pride they showed in representing our program.”

This year, the team was invited to compete in the Jazz Battle, a competition featuring top routines from all jazz divisions, where they came out on top once again.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Desiderio said. “Their dedication, growth and the culture we’ve built made this historic weekend possible. Becoming 20-time national champions is an incredible accomplishment and a true reflection of the hard work and legacy of this program. I’m deeply grateful to lead this team and excited for what’s ahead."

— Cass Wainwright is a senior writing major and a student writer for University Communications.