It took a record-breaking performance, but seeking a three-peat, the SAU Cheer Team was up to the challenge.

St. Ambrose posted the highest score in NAIA Competitive Cheer Championship history to win its third-straight National Title at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Mich.

The Bees finished with an overall score of 97.95 to record the highest score in the event, breaking SAU's own mark of 97.27 set just last season.

And SAU needed every point to hold off a talented Xavier (La.) team.

St. Ambrose earned a score of 97.10 in the preliminary round Friday and followed that with a final-round score of 98.23 Saturday. That was just enough to fend off Xavier, who came in second with an overall score of 97.39.

A total of five teams finished with scores in the 90s. Dickinson State (96.38), Saint Mary (92.02) and Indiana Wesleyan (90.70) rounded out the top five in the 12-team National field.

The victory gave SAU its third Red Banner, the most in NAIA Competitive Cheer history.

Competing for first-year head coach Alex Newenham and the Bees were Ava Arnold, JP Elder, Chloe Fulcher, Graysen Gerlinger, Mikal Honeycutt, Sydnee Horstman, Savanah Metzger, Patrick Nauman, Alyssa Oczko, Taye Owten, Reese Puleo, Rachel Ruplinger, Ryan Russo, Haley Scholbrock, Savannah Schumacher, Will Smith, Layla Taylor, Brady Teel and RJ Woods. Devyn George, Jesse Lopez and Regan Tucker were the alternates.

The SAU Dance Team came up just short in its bid for a three-peat. St. Ambrose settled for a National runner-up finish. Midland won the Dance Title with a score of 92.24, bettering SAU's 92.08 by just 0.16.