One of the things that sets them apart is they dance with modesty and beauty. Even our hip-hop routine is very clean. There's nothing vulgar in it. We're fully clothed. That's not the case with every team. We've proved time and time again that you don't need a shock value, whether in costuming or choreography or anything like that. – Coach Jodi Maxfield

Dance competitions can be lonely places for teams that don't show extra skin or incorporate suggestive songs and choreography. But the Brigham Young University Cougarettes have used the differences in their attire and routines to their advantage.

On April 11, the Cougarettes were named the National Hip-Hop Champions at the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.

"We’re Mormon girls from Utah, and we won hip-hop," said Cougarettes co-captain Kayla Bagshaw.

News of the Cougarettes' win spread on social media after Artistic Director Jodi Maxfield shared a video of the hip-hop routine, choreographed by Shandon Perez, on Facebook. The video now has nearly 2 million views, and Maxfield received more than 200 friend requests on Facebook because of it.

Maxfield believes her dancers' standards differentiate them in a positive way and play an important role in their success.

"I think it’s completely why we’re so successful," Maxfield said. "I know that people feel things when these girls dance. I’ve had it communicated to me over and over again. People were so drawn into the beauty. I’ve had people describe it as the light they felt coming from the stage."

Bagshaw is also familiar with audience members' perceptions of the team.

"I think people notice Christ’s light in us and in our costumes," Bagshaw said. "We do stand out because almost everyone is wearing a two-piece (costume), and we’re wearing a one-piece."

All of the Cougarettes are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they don't leave their faith behind when they take the stage.

"The girls look at it as, when they perform, it’s an opportunity to bear their testimonies," Maxfield said.

Maxfield said it can be challenging to find what the team considers modest costumes and clean music, but she doesn't see these standards as obstacles.

"One of the things that sets them apart is they dance with modesty and beauty," Maxfield said. "Even our hip-hop routine is very clean. There’s nothing vulgar in it. We’re fully clothed. That’s not the case with every team. We’ve proved time and time again that you don’t need a shock value, whether in costuming or choreography or anything like that."

As a former Cougarette, Maxfield knows how much work it takes to be successful. She has coached the Cougarettes for 25 years, and during that time, they have won 15 national titles. The team has participated in the NCA & NDA conference for the last 18 years, and this year, in addition to taking home the hip-hop title, the Cougarettes also came in first in the open dance category at the conference.

In preparation for the national competition, the Cougarettes began practicing the hip-hop routine in August and spent hours improving technique, but co-captain Erica Cox said she doesn't regret any of it.

"I love it, and I care about it because it’s something that you grow so much doing," Cox said. "There are a lot of hard times, a lot of challenges and a lot of great times. From every experience you go through, you really grow through each experience. Every single girl works so hard."

Cox said she's happy to put in the extra work because being a Cougarette means representing something bigger than herself.

"I think that it definitely feels like your duty to really sacrifice and work as hard as you can for the team," Cox said. "Being committed and dedicated and giving all your passion to everything you do explains what a Cougarette is."

The team periodically holds devotionals and testimony meetings to motivate and inspire each other.

Bagshaw recalls a particularly memorable day at the beginning of the school year when the team walked to the top of the LaVell Edwards Stadium to hold a testimony meeting.

"We could see the temple and campus and the Y and all the mountains," Bagshaw said. "I was surrounded by people I love. I thought, 'I am so glad I’m here right now. Everything is so positive, and you could feel the Spirit so strong.'"

She said the Cougarettes have provided her with a way to do what she loves while maintaining her standards.

"That is exactly what I love about Cougarettes," Bagshaw said. "As a dancer, yes, it is so hard not to get caught up in the lyrics of the music or the costume we might be wearing or even inappropriate moves. But that is what I love about the Cougarettes. We do represent BYU, so everything is in line with the Honor Code."

Sgambles@deseretdigital.com