When it comes to excellence and championships, the University of Cincinnati Dance Team is one of the greatest legacy programs going. With their dedicated work ethic and intense practices, they have achieved nothing short of greatness throughout the years. To date, the UC Dance Team trophy case contains 10 World Championships and 6 National Championships.
Recently, the girls dedicated their Christmas break to preparing for the 2017 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team practices in Fifth Third Arena for countless hours, where they are perfecting this year’s pom and hip-hop routines. In order to become the best team in the nation, the focus is all in the details: nailing tricks, hitting turns, and building up stamina.
This is not your average dance team. What makes this program so special and sets them apart from other collegiate teams is the bond and friendships each of the members build with one another. Faith, courage, and belief in each other are always present whenever these girls are putting in work. The passion and love for dancing these girls show is without compare. Because of the supportive atmosphere that these girls have facilitated amongst each other, practices are more than mere recitations of moves and routines, they are opportunities for creative growth and a welcoming environment for new ideas. As fifth year senior and captain Lauren Hawkins can attest: “This team is unlike any other and the bond we share is unlike any other bond. It is crazy to me to think that I will never have a bond like this with anyone else again. The amount of work, tears, and laughter that we go through together makes everything worth it and makes you want to go to practice. I couldn’t do it without these girls and I continuously come back every day and every year because of these ladies.”
Another great asset to the dance team program is their new head coach, Maureen Hosum. Coach “Mo” is a University of Louisville Dance Team alumni and has a deep love for her 34 strong dancers. Nothing but positivity has been coming out of this 2016-2017 season due to her high energy and drive to create an unstoppable team.
Less than a week remains before the girls leave for nationals and they couldn’t be more excited. Bringing home another title is, as it always has been, the goal, but dancing their hearts out and showing everyone what they are made of is the ultimate prize. On January 14th and 15th, the Bearcat fan base can watch UCDT perform live online on the UDA College Nationals website. The entire competition will be aired on ESPN as well. This team is on their A-game and will continue to fight to the finish, and never give in.
Good luck ladies!
By Taylor D’Ambrosia