In case you’re a dancer who makes use of social media, you’ve virtually actually seen movies counting all the way down to the 2025 “dance Tremendous Bowl.” For these of you who aren’t acquainted, these movies are referring to UDA Nationals, a contest marking the top of collegiate cheerleaders and dancers’ seasons. Lately, because of a number of viral performances, the occasion has garnered consideration from dancers and nondancers alike. Final yr’s Ohio State jazz efficiency was iconic sufficient to encourage a number of Halloween costumes.
In January 2022, LSU’s Tiger Ladies went viral with a crisp, synchronized, first-place–successful hip hop efficiency to “Like A Boy” at UDA Nationals. The win was a redemption a yr within the making, since LSU had barred the staff from attending the competitors in 2021. A type of uncommon dances which can be virtually inconceivable to look away from, the routine is a mix of one-of-a-kind choreography and stellar efficiency high quality. The video quickly racked up tens of millions of views on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Senior Tiger Lady Isabella Avila, a freshman on the time, remembers how rapidly issues modified for her staff. “It erupted an entire new fanbase for us. As quickly as we received, we received plenty of consideration from our faculty and had much more followers come as much as us and ask for footage.”
The college put aside extra sources for the Tiger Ladies after their win. They’d that they had elevated time with private trainers and added choices for restoration. Now, simply days from their subsequent look at UDA Nationals, Avila says that each different video on her TikTok feed is a fan expressing pleasure for the Tiger Ladies’ 2025 efficiency.
Freshman Tiger Lady Alyx Gardner recollects watching Like A Boy as a excessive schooler. She had been planning on majoring in dance throughout faculty moderately than being on a dance staff, however after a screening of UDA Nationals at her dance trainer’s home, she modified her thoughts. “Particularly the way it’s blown up up to now few years, it actually influenced me to contemplate a dance staff.”
Since then, the Tiger Ladies have received one other nationwide title in hip hop and positioned third in jazz in 2024. This yr, their objective is to clinch two consecutive titles within the hip hop class, medal within the jazz class, and step off the mat with pleasure of their efficiency. “This system hasn’t seen a back-to-back win. After we really feel like we’re dropping motivation, that’s type of what retains us going. We would like to have the ability to carry one other title again for this system,” Avila says.
This yr is Avila’s ultimate UDA Nationals, and Dance Spirit caught up together with her and first-timer Gardner to speak concerning the competitors from each views.
The Lifetime of a Tiger Lady
Avila and Gardner follow three or 4 occasions every week for about 4 hours, and restoration is obtainable to them at any time. On the weekends throughout soccer season, the Tiger Ladies carry out at house video games. As soon as basketball season begins, additionally they dance at weeknight basketball video games. Throughout Nationals season, which lasts from finals week in December till UDA Nationals, they follow each single day, adopted by an hour or so of restoration. And don’t overlook, they’re full-time college students, as effectively.
Teammate Bonding
At the beginning of every yr, the Tiger Ladies are paired up with “sisters,” with one upperclassman and one underclassman to a set. Throughout Nationals season whereas the dorms are closed, these sister pairs reside collectively whereas they continue to be on campus, coaching day by day for the competitors. “You simply have somebody to go house to and have that help from on the finish of the day,” says Gardner. And past their sister pairing, the staff is extremely shut. Avila provides, “We love the dancing, after all, however what we keep in mind most concerning the yr is simply the reminiscences we made collectively.”
A Fourth UDA Nationals for Avila
A younger dancer from Beaumont, Texas, Avila has gone from studying the ropes of collegiate dance herself (coming from a studio, she hadn’t but skilled the extent of precision in spacing and motion required to be on the staff) to ushering in new staff members. Her recommendation to dancers auditioning for faculty groups? “Use your sources. Attain out to dancers on totally different groups and do plenty of analysis to search out the perfect match.” She could also be taking her personal recommendation quickly as she continues to comply with her dance desires after commencement, as a dancer for both the NBA or the NFL. “As I develop up, I’ll at all times be concerned with dance, whether or not that’s proudly owning a studio or one thing else. Dance will at all times be part of my life.”
Gardner’s First Time on the Mat
“It’s simply gonna be very surreal for me, as I used to be watching ‘Like A Boy’ once I was a sophomore in highschool and now I get to be on the staff and dance with them,” says Gardner when requested about her upcoming debut on the UDA stage. Heading into the competitors, she says she’s feeling a mix of nerves and pleasure. “I gave up loads to return to Louisiana from Illinois. I simply need to make everybody—our coaches and teammates, our choreographers, our alumni, and my household—proud.” What made her so assured in LSU? Gardner did a tour of the campus, and when she met the coaches and her future teammates, she knew that these can be her folks for the subsequent 4 years. Certainly, Gardner’s upperclassmen teammates have closely formed her expertise this primary semester. “They actually educate us the true which means of Tiger Ladies tradition and what it means to be a Tiger Lady. Moreover being our leaders and function fashions, they’re our mates.”
Quickfire Questions
Dance bag necessities?: The Tiger Ladies want their headphones to get within the zone. Though their music tastes differ broadly, they will at all times agree on Drake.
Preshow rituals?: Spitting for good luck and for good turns. These dancers spit on the ground and rub their jazz sneakers in it for friction!
Present favourite warm-up music?: Something associated to Depraved, after all
Which groups are they most excited to look at?: Avila says she’s prepared to look at Ohio State, College of Minnesota, and Washington State. Gardner will probably be being attentive to Florida State College, College of Arkansas, and College of Michigan.
Favourite factor about being a Tiger Lady?: It’s all concerning the teammates. Avila and Gardner agree that the friendships they’ve cast will final a lifetime.
