Saint Joseph's Dance Team Captures UDA Division I Pom National Title
The Saint Joseph's dance team captured the UDA Division I Pom national title this past Sunday at the 2023 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship at the Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to winning the program's fourth national championship, the Hawks also placed third nationally in the Division I Hip Hop event.
Photo credit: SJU Athletics
Saint Joseph's opened the Division I Pom semifinals with the top showing in the 16-team field as the Hawks posted a score of 94.59, just ahead of Hofstra (94.51). In the finals, St. Joe's 14-member squad showcased their winning routine to top the eight-team finals for the national crown with a score of 94.99.
"This year we strived to take creative risk in the direction of both of our routines. We wanted to bring something different to each division we compete in," said dance team coach Rachel Reese '15. "Our team mantra this season is SHOW UP. This mantra resonated with us this season as our focus has been to show up in all aspects such as accountability, mentally, physically, emotionally, individually and as a team."
In the Division I Hip Hop semifinals, Saint Joseph's finished among the advancing teams with a score of 89.62. In the eight-team final, the Hawks continued to impress as they earned a score of 91.58 to place third nationally in the event.
"Not only are we celebrating bringing back our fourth national championship to Hawk Hill, but also placing top -five in two divisions for 10 consecutive years!, "said dance team coach Vikira (KiKi) Molock '16. "Rachel and I are so excited to be bringing back our first championship as coaches to Hawk Hill after winning three championships together as dancers in 2014 and 2015."
Coaches
Rachel Reese '15
Vikira Molock '16
Heather Briody '19
Choreographer
Shandon Perez
Perfromance | Dancers
Hip Hop | 15 (six rookies, 12 underclassmen)
Pom | 14 (five rookies, 11 underclassmen)
This news article originally appeared on sjuhawks.com.
