EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Dance Team is coming home with a national championship after taking first place at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.
On April 11, the Miners won the 2026 NDA Collegiate Championship in the Dance Spirit Rally Division IA category. The title is the program’s second national championship in four years and the first under Head Dance Coach Crystal Ortiz. The win was also earned alongside UTEP mascot, Paydirt Pete.
The UTEP Dance team has earned its second national title in four years at the NDA College Nationals. (Credit: UTEP)
UTEP’s Director of Spirit Operations and Head Cheer Coach, Bianca Marquez, said that the dance team is a true representation of the Miners’ spirit.
Their heart, grit, and passion say everything about who they are. This team truly represents the SPIRIT of UTEP! Picks Up and Go Miners!
The team is scheduled to be greeted by a welcome party at 3:45 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at the El Paso International Airport in the greeter area.
The welcome party will include family members and staff from the UTEP Athletics and Student Affairs divisions.
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