University of St. Thomas Athletics
Tommie Dance earns national runner-up finish in jazz at UDA/UCA Championships
1/20/2025 9:06:00 AM | Spirit Squad
Dance took home silver medals in jazz and sixth place in hip-hop
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of St. Thomas Dance Team continued their legacy of national success this weekend, placing second in the nation in jazz and sixth in hip-hop at the UDA/UCA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla.
Hofstra University took home the gold in D1 jazz, while Utah Valley University was awarded the top prize in D1 hip-hop.
The team's jazz routine was choreographed by Head Coach Julia Harris and Tommie dance alumna Danielle Osbeck. Their hip-hop routine was choreographed by Caliea Koehler and Londyn Daniel.
Alongside Harris, the team is also coached by fellow Tommie dance team alumna and assistant coach Annie Pierce. Harris, a former Tommie dancer, has been on the coaching staff for 11 years and has spent the past six as head coach. Harris also serves as Spirit Squad Coordinator, overseeing the dance, cheer, and mascot programs. During Harris' tenure as head coach, the Tommie Dance Team has earned seven national championships—six in the Open level and one at the Division I level in 2023, the team's second year competing at the Division I level.
This year's dance team is led by senior captains Ellie Johnson, Reese Alexander, and Grace Carlson and junior captain Danielle Nelson.
Last year, the team's jazz routine earned them a fourth-place finish, while their hip-hop performance took home fifth in the nation.
The Tommies have been historically dominant at UDA/UCA College Nationals, winning 18 national championships at both the Open and Division I levels and never finishing lower than sixth in the past five years of competition. In 2023, the team became the first St. Thomas team to take home a Division I national championship with their first place Division I jazz performance.
The annual national championship is the highest level of competition for collegiate cheerleading and dance teams and is hosted by Varsity Spirit at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. The elite competition, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and Universal Dance Association (UDA), took place from January 17-19, 2025.
Hofstra University took home the gold in D1 jazz, while Utah Valley University was awarded the top prize in D1 hip-hop.
The team's jazz routine was choreographed by Head Coach Julia Harris and Tommie dance alumna Danielle Osbeck. Their hip-hop routine was choreographed by Caliea Koehler and Londyn Daniel.
Alongside Harris, the team is also coached by fellow Tommie dance team alumna and assistant coach Annie Pierce. Harris, a former Tommie dancer, has been on the coaching staff for 11 years and has spent the past six as head coach. Harris also serves as Spirit Squad Coordinator, overseeing the dance, cheer, and mascot programs. During Harris' tenure as head coach, the Tommie Dance Team has earned seven national championships—six in the Open level and one at the Division I level in 2023, the team's second year competing at the Division I level.
This year's dance team is led by senior captains Ellie Johnson, Reese Alexander, and Grace Carlson and junior captain Danielle Nelson.
Last year, the team's jazz routine earned them a fourth-place finish, while their hip-hop performance took home fifth in the nation.
The Tommies have been historically dominant at UDA/UCA College Nationals, winning 18 national championships at both the Open and Division I levels and never finishing lower than sixth in the past five years of competition. In 2023, the team became the first St. Thomas team to take home a Division I national championship with their first place Division I jazz performance.
The annual national championship is the highest level of competition for collegiate cheerleading and dance teams and is hosted by Varsity Spirit at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. The elite competition, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and Universal Dance Association (UDA), took place from January 17-19, 2025.
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