A crowd of more than 1,300 spectators saw Knoxville's West High School Steppers take the top spot in the City of Knoxville's 4th Annual Teen "Step Off" Show at the Civic Auditorium Friday night.

The event, which drew a dozen middle school and high-school teams from across Tennessee and from two other states competed for cash prizes in the event that was organized and presented by the City's Parks and Recreation Department.

Finishing second to the West High School Steppers were the Lower Richland High School Diamond Dawgs, from South Carolina, while the Zeta Youth Group Dove Divas from Chattanooga placed third.

Academic awards were also presented at the event. The Lady Diamond Steppers from Lower Richland High School earned the team academic award with a 3.1 GPA team average. Robert Robinson, also from Lower Richland High, earned the individual academic award with a 4.78 GPA.

All students that competed in the step off toured the University of Tennessee campus the following Saturday morning.

"We are proud of this event and the attention that it has received in the last few years," said Joe Walsh, City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director.

Walsh added, "This event accomplishes many goals that we as the City Recreation Department work to achieve. The 'step off' competition encourages teamwork, fun, exercise, community involvement, and it encourages middle and high school kids to start thinking about college education.

In addition to the City of Knoxville, the United States Army sponsored the event. Soldiers participated in the opening ceremonies of the Steps Show and presented the academic awards to the students.

The city's "Step-Off" show debuted in 2006 at the E.V. Davidson Recreation Center with four teams and about 300 spectators. It has grown each year.

For information about the 2010 Teen Step Off, please call Nikki Crutcher or Darrow Davenport at 971-4746.