University of Delaware Athletics
UD Spirit Teams Star at Nationals, Co-Ed Cheerleading Captures National Title Again
1/18/2015 7:25:00 PM | Delaware Athletics
ORLANDO, Fla. -- It was another impressive showing for the University of Delaware spirit teams this weekend as the Blue Hens Co-Ed Cheerleading team captured its second straight national title at the Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association National Championships at Walt Disney World.
In addition to the national title, Delaware also received outstanding performances from its other spirit teams as mascot YoUDee finished second in the Mascots Open Division; the Dance team placed second in both the Division I Jazz Division and the Division I Hip-Hop Division; the team of Aston Dommel and Jackie Fabricatore finished ninth in the Partner Stunt-Coed Division; and the team of Nicole Chinn, Angela Trozzi, Jenna Krasley, and Izzy Debnam placed ninth in the Partner Stunt Girls 4 Division.
“Before we left for Orlando, we had one goal - to hit a clean routine,” said UD Athletics Spirit Coordinator and Head Cheer Coach Rob Ellery of the national championship performance. “We had great preparation and on Saturday night we put out our best performance yet. I couldn't be happier. The team came together and trusted one another. They showed poise, patience, and complete confidence, which was crucial to our success.”
In addition to Ellery, the Delaware spirit coaching contingent includes cheerleading assistant coach Gillian Guadagnino, dance team head coach Nicole Zehnder, and mascot head coach Chad Mills.
In the Division I Co-Ed Division, Delaware took first place ahead of Morehead State, Wichita State, Belmont, Missouri State, Tennessee-Chattanooga, and Northwestern (La.) State in the seven-team field.
In the Mascots Open Division, Delaware's YoUDee placed second behind Tennessee Tech's Awesome Eagle and ahead of Villanova's Will D Cat, Auburn-Montgomery's Curtiss the Warhawk, and Tennessee Tech's Grandpappy. YoUDee, a member of the Mascots Hall of Fame, won national titles in the event in 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
In the Dance Jazz Division, Delaware placed second behind champion Cal State Fullerton and ahead of Hofstra, Southeastern Louisiana, and Long Beach State in the 10-team field.
In the Dance Hip-Hop Division, Delaware placed second behind Saint Joseph's (Pa.) and ahead of Southeastern Louisiana, St. John's, Hofstra, and College of Charleston in the six-team field. The Blue Hens won the national title in the Hip Hop category in 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
In the Parter Stunt-Coed Division, Delaware placed ninth overall. Sam Houston State took first place followed by Morehead State, Memphis, Georgia, and Wilmington University in the top five.
In the Partner Stunt Girls 4 Division, Delaware placed ninth overall. Hofstra took first place followed by Morehead State, Columbus State, Colorado, and West Georgia in the top five.
