TicketsJan. 11, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio--The University of Cincinnati dance team will put its streak of three consecutive National Championships on the line this weekend when they, along with the UC cheerleading squads, compete in the 2007 Universal Cheer and Dance Association College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships in Orlando, Fla. The competition will take place at the Indiana Jones Theater at MGM Studios and Disney's Wide World of Sports beginning on Saturday (Jan.13).
UC, which has won all three titles in hip-hop competition since the category was instituted three years ago, are ranked No. 1 nationally based on review of video entries for the competition. The Dance team will also take part in the Division IA Jazz competition.
The Bearcat cheerleaders, ranked second in the Northeast Region, will take part in all-girl and Division IA competitions.
"I am really proud of the dance team this year," said head dance coach Lisa Spears. "They have worked extremely hard on both the Jazz routine and the Hip-Hop routine and they are excited to go to the competition. I think they are ready and I am confident that they will do the best job that they can."
"We are excited to get another opportunity to compete at nationals," added UC cheerleading coach Tabby Fagan. "The weather in Florida is beautiful and we are glad to be here and show the nation a little bit of Cincinnati flavor."
The Championships get underway with mascot and partner stunt action on Friday. UC's All-Girl Cheer team hits the stage just after 11 a.m. on Saturday in the category finals. Later in the day, the Hip-Hip (1:15 p.m.), Division IA Cheer (4:58 p.m.) and Division IA Dance Jazz (7 p.m.) semifinals will all take place. Top finishers in each category will advance to the finals on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to last season's third national title, UC's dance squad took sixth place in the Jazz finals. The all-girl cheer squad brought home an eighth-place finish in 2006.
2007 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship Schedule (UC events only)
Saturday, January 13
11:06 a.m.-All-Girl Cheerleading finals
1:15 p.m.-Division IA Hip-Hop semifinals
4:58 p.m.-Division IA Cheer semifinals
7 p.m.-Division IA Dance semifinals
Sunday, January 14
12:30 p.m.-Division IA Hip-Hop finals (top 12 advance from semifinals)
3 p.m.-Division IA Dance finals (top 15 advance from semifinals)
5 p.m.-Division IA Cheer finals (top 16 advance from semifinals)