Laker Dance Team wins national titles

In only their third year competing on the national stage, members of the Laker Dance Team took home two titles and won the Jazz Battle at the 2026 College Classic National Competition.

“Our weekend at the competition was an incredible experience for our program and a true 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. They returned to GVSU as national champions in both categories. And the dance team’s performance for Division II Jazz was the highest-scoring routine of teams from all divisions.

“From start to finish, the team showed professionalism, focus and heart, rising to every challenge, supporting one another and other teams and performing with confidence,” Desiderio said. “What stood out most was their ability to stay present, trust their training and represent our program with pride.”

This year, the team was invited to compete in the Jazz Battle, a competition for all jazz divisions, and won. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Desiderio said. “Their dedication, growth and the culture they’ve built made this historic weekend possible. It reflects both their talent and character. I’m incredibly 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.