At least Ryan Lochte won his Dancing With the Stars dance-off. The Olympian and professional dance partner Cheryl Burke were sent home during week eight of the reality TV competition, but they're leaving with their heads held high.
"If we would have lost, I would've been like, ‘Crap, I really let Cheryl down.' But, we went out on top and I guess that's all you can ask for," Ryan told E! News' Sibley Scoles after the show. "There's so much I learned on this show and just being part of this great group of people, I'm going to remember this forever."
The duo danced the Tango to "Howlin' For You" by The Black Keys and received a 23 out 30 from the judges. They bested Marilu Henner and Derek Hough in the dance-off to The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face."
Burke, who has won the competition before and returned to the show this season for the first time since season 19, said Ryan did "awesome."
"Honestly, he came out on this show on top regardless because he has zero dance experience," she said. "Every dance and step was hard to do for him. We made it through and he did awesome."
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays 8 p.m. on ABC.