University of Delaware Athletics
UD Spirit Program Shines at Nationals, Captures Small Coed Game Day Title
5/3/2021 4:00:00 PM | Delaware Athletics
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Delaware Blue Hens competed at the coveted 2021 UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships in Orlando, with the cheer bringing home the national title in the Small Coed Game Day Division.
"This season our student-athletes have faced and conquered so many challenges beyond the normal. The entire coaching staff was impressed with their ability to adapt and overcome amidst so much adversity. A quote that kept us looking forward, "The tougher the road, the stronger the traveler." Having overcome this season, we are confident these student-athletes are strong enough to accomplish any goal they set for themselves in the future. We were honored to compete for UD this year and we are already looking forward to representing UD once again in the coming season. Go Hens!" - Ryan Blanford, Spirit Program Coordinator & Coed Cheer Team Head Coach
Having won the Small Coed Game Day Division in 2019 and 2020, the Blue Hens entered the championships as a heavy favorite. Delaware was able to show its blue and gold spirit and perform for the judges at a high level. The Blue Hens found themselves back on top after a dynamic performance in which they impressed in the semifinals and shined even brighter in the finals to take home their third consecutive national championship.
Dance competed in 3 categories for the first time in history, and was able to remain consistent throughout. Delaware came up just short in the dance competitions of Division I Game Day, Division I Jazz, and Division I Hip Hop taking runner-up honors in all three dance categories. They were one of only two teams who left with 3 medals out of the entire competition.
"This team excelled and persevered through more unknowns than we could ever imagine. Instead of playing it safe - we learned our hip hop routine via zoom, decided to compete in Game Day for the first time making UDDT history (with 3 of our team members choreographing sections), and spent the past year choreographing our jazz routine ourselves. All 17 dancers contributed to some part to the routine and our highest scores were on creativity/musicality which is the biggest win I could ever ask for. While we may have missed out on a lot due to the pandemic, this year is one to remember forever and I wouldn't change a thing." - Risa Snapp, Head Dance Coach
This season we saw the return of a traditional coed routine and a traditional all girl routine. The Blue Hens took third place in both Cheer Division I and All Girl Division I Cheer. The Coed Team was led by head coach Ryan Blanford, and the All Girl Team was led by head coach Kirby Lynch. They were assisted by assistant coach, Tony Goldston, and student manager, Carlie Gallagher.
YoUDee finished in sixth place in the mascot performances. A strong finish considering Division I and Division IA were combined this year for the mascot national championship.
2021 marks the 15th-straight year that the Delaware Spirit Program has brought a national championship back to Newark. Overall, the Blue Hen spirit teams have won 22 national championships (eight from cheer, six from dance and eight from mascot).
"A team is made up of individuals, but our success during the season was based on our ability to transform into a family. As a spirit program, we truly cherished every moment we practiced and took the nationals floor. I couldn't be prouder of the program's indescribable passion and feel so lucky to have been able to make Delaware history!" - Kelly Tatulli, Dance Team Captain & Senior
2021 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship Results
1st – Small Coed Game Day
2nd – Division I Game Day Dance
2nd – Dance Division I Jazz
2nd – Dance Division I Hip Hop
3rd – Cheer Division I
3rd – All Girl Division I Cheer
6th – Mascot
"This season our student-athletes have faced and conquered so many challenges beyond the normal. The entire coaching staff was impressed with their ability to adapt and overcome amidst so much adversity. A quote that kept us looking forward, "The tougher the road, the stronger the traveler." Having overcome this season, we are confident these student-athletes are strong enough to accomplish any goal they set for themselves in the future. We were honored to compete for UD this year and we are already looking forward to representing UD once again in the coming season. Go Hens!" - Ryan Blanford, Spirit Program Coordinator & Coed Cheer Team Head Coach
Having won the Small Coed Game Day Division in 2019 and 2020, the Blue Hens entered the championships as a heavy favorite. Delaware was able to show its blue and gold spirit and perform for the judges at a high level. The Blue Hens found themselves back on top after a dynamic performance in which they impressed in the semifinals and shined even brighter in the finals to take home their third consecutive national championship.
Dance competed in 3 categories for the first time in history, and was able to remain consistent throughout. Delaware came up just short in the dance competitions of Division I Game Day, Division I Jazz, and Division I Hip Hop taking runner-up honors in all three dance categories. They were one of only two teams who left with 3 medals out of the entire competition.
"This team excelled and persevered through more unknowns than we could ever imagine. Instead of playing it safe - we learned our hip hop routine via zoom, decided to compete in Game Day for the first time making UDDT history (with 3 of our team members choreographing sections), and spent the past year choreographing our jazz routine ourselves. All 17 dancers contributed to some part to the routine and our highest scores were on creativity/musicality which is the biggest win I could ever ask for. While we may have missed out on a lot due to the pandemic, this year is one to remember forever and I wouldn't change a thing." - Risa Snapp, Head Dance Coach
This season we saw the return of a traditional coed routine and a traditional all girl routine. The Blue Hens took third place in both Cheer Division I and All Girl Division I Cheer. The Coed Team was led by head coach Ryan Blanford, and the All Girl Team was led by head coach Kirby Lynch. They were assisted by assistant coach, Tony Goldston, and student manager, Carlie Gallagher.
YoUDee finished in sixth place in the mascot performances. A strong finish considering Division I and Division IA were combined this year for the mascot national championship.
2021 marks the 15th-straight year that the Delaware Spirit Program has brought a national championship back to Newark. Overall, the Blue Hen spirit teams have won 22 national championships (eight from cheer, six from dance and eight from mascot).
"A team is made up of individuals, but our success during the season was based on our ability to transform into a family. As a spirit program, we truly cherished every moment we practiced and took the nationals floor. I couldn't be prouder of the program's indescribable passion and feel so lucky to have been able to make Delaware history!" - Kelly Tatulli, Dance Team Captain & Senior
2021 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship Results
1st – Small Coed Game Day
2nd – Division I Game Day Dance
2nd – Dance Division I Jazz
2nd – Dance Division I Hip Hop
3rd – Cheer Division I
3rd – All Girl Division I Cheer
6th – Mascot
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