Bearkats claim four titles in Daytona, become first program to win back-to-back grand national championships
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS–-Sam Houston State University’s multi-time-national-champion Orange Pride Dance Team (OPDT) returned from Daytona, Florida, with their legacy cemented in the history books and four new national champion titles.
Orange Pride, represented by 20 SHSU female athletes at the 2026 National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals competition, won the following awards: National Champion Team, National Champion Jazz, Grand National Champion Team and Grand National Champion Jazz.
This achievement secured the program’s spot in collegiate dance history as the first team to win a double grand championship and the first team to win back-to-back national grand championships following their win at the 2025 NDA event.
Brooklynn Ivie, graduate student and retiring OPDT member, said it’s the heart that makes SHSU’s dance team stand out from competitors.
“We don’t just train to win — we train to represent something bigger than ourselves. There’s a standard here that’s been built over the years,” she said. “Every rep, every correction, every moment, we chose to push instead of settle. We didn’t want to just repeat — we wanted to elevate.”
SHSU’s Orange Pride competed against 33 teams in the 1A Division — a class reserved for the most competitive dance programs across the nation. Precision, innovation and performance landed the dance athletes in the top spot for both the team and jazz competitions.
With the grand champion titles came the opportunity to perform both routines again in a final round against division winners for the National Grand Championship. Judges scored the final performances on choreography, execution, costuming, presentation, degree of difficulty, innovation and uniformity.
Freshman health sciences student and first-year OPDT member Jacey Boren said being competitive isn’t just about talent.
“The teams that win multiple national championships are the ones that don’t take days off mentally,” Boren said. “Everyone is locked in, pushing each other and holding each other accountable. It takes a lot of discipline, but also trust in your teammates.”
The recent victories add to an impressive list of growing achievements for the Orange Pride Dance Team at Sam Houston. The program holds 20 champion titles, with consecutive title wins since 2019.
Current Orange Pride Coach Sarah Garcia led teams to 18 of those victories. Looking ahead to next year, Garcia said the team’s focus does not change.
“We’re going to keep raising the standard. Success can’t make us comfortable. If anything, it should push us to work harder,” she said.
On April 30, 2026, the Division of Student Affairs will host a National Champion Celebration in the team’s honor from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Frank Parker Plaza. Guests are invited to congratulate the student athletes and view the trophies on display. The event will also include a DJ, giveaways, free ice cream from the Mister Softee truck and a special appearance by Sammy the Bearkat.
When this set of elite athletes isn’t competing on the mat for championships, they are dedicated to supporting Bearkat athletics with performances at football and basketball games, along with attending events on campus and in the community to represent Sam Houston State University and elevate Bearkat pride.
