Utah Valley University Spirit Squad dancers excelled once again at the highest levels, placing in the top three in two different categories at the Universal Dance Association (UDA)’s 2024 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, held Jan. 12-14 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

UVU’s hip-hop team won second place in Division I, finishing less than a point behind the University of Delaware. The jazz team from UVU secured a third-place finish. UVU was the only school to post top-three finishes in both categories.

“Our UVU Spirit Squad represented our university with incredible talent, inspiring routines, and tremendous class,” said Kati Marsing, UVU Spirit Squad assistant director. “Our teams have been working incredibly hard over the past six months to prepare for this level of competition. Their hard work paid off in big ways.”

“There is no better feeling than walking off the stage with your best friends, hand in hand, and knowing you gave it everything you had and more,” UVU Dance Team President Kaelyn Arndt-Smith said. “The talent that was displayed this weekend was incredible and hard to beat, but so fun and rewarding to be around other universities and meet new people. As a team, it pushed us to do better and want more.”

For full competition results, visit the UDA website. For more on the UVU dance teams, visit the UVU Spirit Squad website.