Seeking a third-straight NAIA National Championship, the SAU Dance Team came up 0.16 short.

St. Ambrose had to settle for second place at the 9th Annual Nfinity NAIA Competitive Dance National Championship at the George Gervin GameAbove Center on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.

Midland won its third Red Banner, finishing with an overall score of 92.24 to edge St. Ambrose. SAU's overall score of 92.08, based on 25 percent of Friday's preliminary round and 75 percent of Saturday's final round, came up agonizingly short.

Competing for St. Ambrose and first-year head coach Laurel Ritter were Maddy Barnes, Lilly Bonnet, Lexi Crook, Shea Denahy, Sara Gundacker, Grace Harms, Josie Kaffenberger, Karli Langley, Sydnie Offermann, Emma Schoonover, Grace Sheldon and Leah Zeimet. Karsyn Kuffler, Josephine Lai and Evie Miller were the alternates.

Grand View finished third with a score of 88.40. Oklahoma City (83.48) and Viterbo (82.23) rounded out the top five. St. Ambrose and Viterbo were the only two teams without any deductions at the championships.

St. Ambrose leads all schools with four NAIA Competitive Dance Championships (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024). SAU has also recorded the two highest scores in championship history - a 93.40 in 2023 and a 92.49 in 2024.

The SAU Cheer Team was able to complete its quest for a three-peat. St. Ambrose set an event record with an overall score of 97.95 to win its third straight competitive cheer crown.