It is that time of the year once again and college dance team season is back. Teams prepare themselves for UDA Nationals at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. In more recent years, these dance teams have exploded in popularity all over social media, and people are enjoying the art and sport of dance. Non-dancers are beginning to recognize the art and most importantly the athleticism that dancers exude. This year, these routines consisted of passionate and emotional jazz, hardcore and intense jazz, or entertaining hip-hop routines. The impact that social media is having on UDA Nationals is making great entertainment for everyone to watch.
UDA Nationals fell on the weekend of Jan. 17 to the 19 of 2025. Colleges in the D1 and D1A category compete against each other for the title of National Champions in the pom, jazz and hip-hop categories. Division 1 meaning smaller colleges and Division 1A meaning the much larger colleges. This year, The Ohio State University won the D1A Jazz category once again, while the University of Minnesota won the D1A Pom category. In contrast, the University of Nevada Las Vegas won the D1A hiphop category, a newer team that placed very well this year. Though the D1A pom and jazz winners were the same as last year, other dance teams stepped up their game by matching the same energy, technique and entertainment as the winning teams. It can be impressive to see dance teams switch it up each year and people are eager for what teams have to offer for this national championship.
Many underground teams caught the attention of multiple different audiences and more teams are getting the recognition they deserve. Similar to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, these teams are known for their amazing hip-hop but have not gotten the recognition in past years. This year, UNLV came out on top with “real” hip-hop and appealing visuals and tricks that really captivated the audience and most importantly, the judges.
Most dancers enjoy looking at the non-winning teams to get a visual of other dances brought to UDA Nationals. Maya Ryan is a junior on the Antioch Community High School dance team and has been a dancer for almost eight years now. Ryan is familiar with teams that are more underrated than others.
“University of Central Flordia’s jazz routine is by far the most underrated and robbed dance this year,” Ryan said. “The message of the dance, basically women’s empowerment, along with the intricate and beautifully executed choreography really stood out to me.”
There were many teams this year that were unexpectedly amazing, unlike last year. Teams have to rebuild each year due to seniors leaving and freshmen coming in. For example, Lousiana State University is known for their entertaining hip hop routines and they are prone to coming on top and taking the first place spot. But this year, they placed sixth place overall. Many factors contributed to their placing, like props and choreography, but each year it is different for every dance team.
Especially as dancers, learning from one another inspires others to continue to grow and push past their limits, to evolve into the dancer one wants to be. By watching these college nationals, dancers from all over the world are inspired by the talent and dedication dancers on the collegiate level bring. This can include trying tricks and turn sequences on social media, or forcing dancers to push themselves to the next level. When trying tricks college dancers do, one can realize how difficult their routines are. Josie Quirke is a senior captain on the ACHS dance team and has been dancing for her whole life. She feels immensely influenced by college dance.
“UDA nationals inspire me to be better, watching, arguably the best dancers in the nation, makes me want to be better,” said Quirke. “They inspire me to try new things and to dance at their level.”
Due to UDA Nationals gaining more popularity, nondancers are getting involved with college dance routines posted on social media. Sequoit Media posted an Instagram poll to get the opinions of the ACHS student body about UDA Nationals. The results showed a 36% vote of students excited to watch Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota with a 29% vote. This shows that the winning teams from last year’s competition gained social media influence and nondancers want to watch UDA Nationals just like dancers.
After the huge explosion of UDA Nationals last year, many people are expecting fresh, new routines that never fail to blow away the audience and the judges. Be on the lookout next January for outstanding performances from dance teams across the country.
