University of Delaware Athletics
Spirit Squads Have Historic Weekend, Take Home Three National Championships
1/21/2019 3:59:00 PM | Delaware Athletics
ORLANDO, Fla. – Anyone who has been around the University of Delaware knows the pride that surrounds the campus. Alums, current students and prospective students, along with the community bleed the blue & gold.
No one shows that more than the University of Delaware spirit squads and this weekend that pride was on full display for the nation to see.
Competing at UCA/UDA College National Championships at Walt Disney World Resort, the Blue Hens took home national championships in Gameday Co-Ed Cheerleading, Mascot and Hip-Hop Dance. It's the first time in program history that all three areas took home titles.
"Our spirit teams have had a great presence at the UCA/UDA College National Championships over the years, but 2019 was particularly special for our Spirit Program. We are blessed with great resources and support from our administration and I am thankful that our coaches (Risa Levine, Kirby Lynch, & Tony Goldston) go above and beyond to help our athletes develop as athletes and leaders. We are thrilled that YoUDee, our dancers and our cheerleaders were able to experience national championships and represent the University of Delaware in highly competitive divisions," Spirit Coordinator and Head Cheer Coach Rob Ellery said. "A special thanks to the support of our administration, including Sport Admin Stacey Bunting-Thompson, who made the trip down to support our students and staff. We are very grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent Delaware at the National Championship each year while supporting the Blue Hens on the field and on the court."
It marks the 11th-straight year that Delaware Spirit has come away with a national championship. Overall, the spirit squads have now taken 18 national championships (eight from mascot, six from dance and four from cheer).
In addition to the national championships, Delaware added two other top-10 performances including fifth-place in the Division I Small Co-Ed Cheer and eighth-place in the Division I Jazz Dance competition.
Quotable:
"Being able to bring home a national championship for our program once again has been indescribable. We have continued to develop such a close bond within our team that has driven us to become the most passionate and hard working individuals for each other and our school." - Amanda Scerbo (Senior, Dance Team)
"This weekend was truly a dream come true. I have been cheering my entire life and I ended my career with winning college nationals! Competing in game day this year was a blast and we gained a new appreciation and love for all of our traditions. Between our game day team, hip hop team, and Youdee, everyone from our spirit program is going home a national champion, and we are so proud! We cannot wait to get home and celebrate with our Blue Hen family!" -Briana Filippini, Senior, Cheerleading
"This year our spirit teams really came together as one unit and I am so excited we are able to share the pride that comes with winning a national championship. The support the teams have for one another is very special and we're thankful to represent a university that values the spirit program so much." - Kirby Lynch, Assistant Spirit Coordinator, Mascot & Cheer Coach
"I felt as if this whole season cheer, dance, and mascots have really worked together and have been one unified team. Dance helped mascot with parts of his skit, and cheer helped dance with some of their lifts. We were all so genuinely happy for one another for each win, and the fact that we made history together makes the victory even sweeter." - Risa Levine, Head Coach, Dance Team
No one shows that more than the University of Delaware spirit squads and this weekend that pride was on full display for the nation to see.
Competing at UCA/UDA College National Championships at Walt Disney World Resort, the Blue Hens took home national championships in Gameday Co-Ed Cheerleading, Mascot and Hip-Hop Dance. It's the first time in program history that all three areas took home titles.
"Our spirit teams have had a great presence at the UCA/UDA College National Championships over the years, but 2019 was particularly special for our Spirit Program. We are blessed with great resources and support from our administration and I am thankful that our coaches (Risa Levine, Kirby Lynch, & Tony Goldston) go above and beyond to help our athletes develop as athletes and leaders. We are thrilled that YoUDee, our dancers and our cheerleaders were able to experience national championships and represent the University of Delaware in highly competitive divisions," Spirit Coordinator and Head Cheer Coach Rob Ellery said. "A special thanks to the support of our administration, including Sport Admin Stacey Bunting-Thompson, who made the trip down to support our students and staff. We are very grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent Delaware at the National Championship each year while supporting the Blue Hens on the field and on the court."
It marks the 11th-straight year that Delaware Spirit has come away with a national championship. Overall, the spirit squads have now taken 18 national championships (eight from mascot, six from dance and four from cheer).
In addition to the national championships, Delaware added two other top-10 performances including fifth-place in the Division I Small Co-Ed Cheer and eighth-place in the Division I Jazz Dance competition.
Quotable:
"Being able to bring home a national championship for our program once again has been indescribable. We have continued to develop such a close bond within our team that has driven us to become the most passionate and hard working individuals for each other and our school." - Amanda Scerbo (Senior, Dance Team)
"This weekend was truly a dream come true. I have been cheering my entire life and I ended my career with winning college nationals! Competing in game day this year was a blast and we gained a new appreciation and love for all of our traditions. Between our game day team, hip hop team, and Youdee, everyone from our spirit program is going home a national champion, and we are so proud! We cannot wait to get home and celebrate with our Blue Hen family!" -Briana Filippini, Senior, Cheerleading
"This year our spirit teams really came together as one unit and I am so excited we are able to share the pride that comes with winning a national championship. The support the teams have for one another is very special and we're thankful to represent a university that values the spirit program so much." - Kirby Lynch, Assistant Spirit Coordinator, Mascot & Cheer Coach
"I felt as if this whole season cheer, dance, and mascots have really worked together and have been one unified team. Dance helped mascot with parts of his skit, and cheer helped dance with some of their lifts. We were all so genuinely happy for one another for each win, and the fact that we made history together makes the victory even sweeter." - Risa Levine, Head Coach, Dance Team
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