The Sam Rayburn Tex-Ann Drill Team is dancing its way to the top as the team claimed the national title at this year's MA Dance National Competition.  

The team received the national award for their Team Lyrical Dance, and the team's director Jennifer Forst said she couldn't be more excited. 

"This was their first time as a team to perform a lyrical dance," she said. "They really accomplished our goal of dancing in the music as opposed to with the music. We have been working on emotion and technique and they really pulled it off." 

The Tex-Anns competed against 11 other teams in the large team category. The team also competed in the categories of pom, hip-hop, lyrical, novelty, ensembles, and officers as well as a solo and a trio performance. 

The national title wasn't the only award the team received. Team Novelty received third place, all four companies received Division I medals and the officers received Division I awards for all four of their routines. The team's colonel Kelsey Moore also brought home a Division I medal, and she said the team's success at this year's competition was rewarding.  

"It's amazing to know all our hard work throughout the year has paid off," Moore said. "It took a lot of dedication and a will to push forward. We couldn't give up when practices got hard, and we had to keep a positive attitude. We've worked non-stop all year long, so to come home National Champions was much deserved." 

Forst said she is in high hopes for future competitions but that the dedication of her girls must be maintained.  

"We are going to have to work very hard to maintain the competitive drive we have going and keep challenging ourselves to improve each year," she said.  

The Tex-Anns aren't new to the feeling of being national champions as their Team Modern also took the national title in the medium team category at last year's competition. Team Pop and Team Hip-Hop came in second and third places respectively last year.  

"This win has really boosted the morale of the team and they are gradually making a name for themselves and improving the dance program overall," said Forst. "They are proud to be back-to-back national champions."