By DEBI OKEKE/Staff Writer
The University of Texas at Tyler’s Dance Team started off the year strong with a number seven finish at UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
Known as the Super Bowl of collegiate dance, UDA College Nationals brings together elite teams from across the country to compete for the top spot in multiple categories and divisions. Many iconic schools, including Minnesota, Memphis, LSU and Ohio State, have dominated at UDA. UT Tyler joined these programs on the big stage for the first time.
“Day one was overwhelming in the best way, especially since 11 of the 17 members of our team are first-years, and none of us had ever attended UDA before,” Katie Hutto, assistant athletic director for spirit and fan experience recalled. “The girls were incredibly excited to be in the same space as some of their idols.”
Preparation leading up to the event was anything but easy. The team had been working on their routine for months, including Christmas break, to perfect their performance. After consistently practicing twice a day, the team debuted its routine on Jan. 8 in front of their home crowd during a basketball game against Western New Mexico.
They competed in the Open Game Day division, which focuses on school spirit and crowd engagement, and is typically performed at football or basketball games. It consists of four elements: a traditional fight song, a defense or offense chant, a sideline routine and a performance routine. They were amazingly the only debut team to qualify for the finals, and they went on to finish in the top ten overall.
Outside of the competition, the members were able to unwind and have a well-deserved break at the Walt Disney World Resort. The thrill of performing on such a grand stage and the close bonding between the girls have created more than enough memories that will last long after their first UDA appearance.
If you want a chance to join this historic program and be a part of next year’s exciting season, spring dance tryouts will be held on Feb. 22nd.
“These incredible young women [have] been with me every step of the way and are the reason this program survived,” Hutto continues “We’re only going up from here. We had our strongest recruiting clinic yet and look forward to a new era of elite dancers.”
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