Members of the Walnut High School Dance Team had to perform for two days to do it, but by Saturday night, they were hoisting a championship trophy for first place in the large dance division at the USA Dance Nationals.

The event, held in Anaheim, drew hundreds of participants and spectators. Around 100 high schools performed more than 550 dance routines during the two-day period.

"I thought we did amazing," said dance teacher Jenny Tomlin.  "I was very happy with our placing overall."

The winning routine was to the song "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend." Tomlin said to see the large dance do the best is especially meaningful because it is a win for the entire team.

Besides the first place win for large dance, the 24-member team placed second in the open division for lyrical and also in the championship division for prop. Tomlin said only those who finished in the top 25 percent at Regionals for dances in the championship division made it to finals.  The team competed at Regionals in February.

"It's the best of the best when you make it to finals," Tomlin said of the championship division.  "Now they can say they were the best of the best."

The team also earned a third place award in the open division for medium dance and fourth place for championship kick. Two of the team members also dance solos, Tomlin said.

The team is no stranger to the Nationals.  Every year for the past 13 that Tomlin has coached the team, the group has made it to the big stage.  Tomlin said she only missed one year because she gave birth to her child.

The girls on the team rehearsed four mornings a week and starting in fall, did an extra six to eight weeks of practice after school to gear up for the season, she said.  The Nationals mark the end of the competition season , but the team still is getting reading for a spring concert in May, she said. 

"Every year we are doing well makes all of the hard work and dedication worth it," she said.