University of Delaware Athletics
Spirit Program Makes Impressive DIA Debut at UCA & UDA Nationals
2/5/2026 9:52:00 AM | Cheer, Dance
ORLANDO – The University of Delaware spirit program had an impressive Division I-A debut at the 2026 Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals with a trio of top-six finishes in the program's first season at the DIA level. With the university's move to Conference USA and the FBS level, it also propelled the spirit program to the highest level of competition.
"I am so grateful that our spirit program had the opportunity to represent the University of Delaware at the highest level in a new division at nationals," Spirit Coordinator and All-Girl Head Cheer Coach Kirby Lynch said. "We knew there would be new challenges moving into a bigger and more competitive division, but our student-athletes handled everything with Blue Hen Pride! I cannot wait to continue to build for our future in DIA!"
During the competitions that took place in Orlando, Florida at ESPN's Wide World of Sports from January 16-18, cheer's small coed gameday and all-girl each took fifth place nationally and dance's hip hop claimed sixth in the country. Cheer's partner stunt group of Tamara Harmon, Jordan Herbert, Rylee Rhinehart, and Demi Schlotter placed third – marking the second-consecutive year a UD partner stunt team placed third in the category.
"This year we put so much work into building our mental toughness and confidence heading into D1A," graduate student Jordan Herbert said. "We knew we had the physical ability to be competitive in this division, but having the right mindset as a whole was really the key to our success at nationals this year. This also carried into the successes we had in partner stunt. Having two all-girl groups qualify to compete against so many talented groups and have one place in top three is such an amazing opportunity to represent our school."
No stranger to success on the mat, small coed gameday is an area that has been a specialty for the Fightin' Blue Hens as of late. UD won six-straight national championships at the DI level from 2019-24 – all of which under the direction of current Spirit Coordinator and All-Girl Head Cheer Coach Kirby Lynch.
"This season we focused a lot on our mindset and training ourselves to be mentally strong," senior Ryan Bigley said. "Our physical performance relies heavily on the mental preparation we've done all season leading up to nationals. When preparing to enter this new division, we remained focused on ourselves and took it as an opportunity to represent Delaware in a new way. We kept reminding ourselves that we had nothing to lose and so much to gain. It is truly special to be part of the team that made history — not only as the first UD team to compete in D1A, but also by placing fifth in the nation for our first year in the division."
Under second-year head coach Gabby De Lima, the Hens made an immediate splash with their choreographed dance to 'Ante Up' by M.O.P. The program has a rich hip hop tradition, having won eight UDA national titles.
"This season was incredibly meaningful, not just because of our success, but because we had the opportunity to represent the University of Delaware in a brand new division," senior dancer Mackenzie LaMotta said. "As a team, we poured countless hours, sacrifices, and so much heart into this year, and to see that work pay off was unforgettable. Wearing the Blue Hen name at nationals for the first time in DIA and finishing in sixth for hip hop is something I'll carry with me forever. I'm beyond proud of this team, our fight, and the standard we continue to set for this program."
At only the beginning of this new era, the rich history of tradition and success remains a constant in Newark with the programs regularly reflecting on the 28 national championships won by cheer, dance, and mascot in the spirit program's annals.
"I am so grateful that our spirit program had the opportunity to represent the University of Delaware at the highest level in a new division at nationals," Spirit Coordinator and All-Girl Head Cheer Coach Kirby Lynch said. "We knew there would be new challenges moving into a bigger and more competitive division, but our student-athletes handled everything with Blue Hen Pride! I cannot wait to continue to build for our future in DIA!"
During the competitions that took place in Orlando, Florida at ESPN's Wide World of Sports from January 16-18, cheer's small coed gameday and all-girl each took fifth place nationally and dance's hip hop claimed sixth in the country. Cheer's partner stunt group of Tamara Harmon, Jordan Herbert, Rylee Rhinehart, and Demi Schlotter placed third – marking the second-consecutive year a UD partner stunt team placed third in the category.
"This year we put so much work into building our mental toughness and confidence heading into D1A," graduate student Jordan Herbert said. "We knew we had the physical ability to be competitive in this division, but having the right mindset as a whole was really the key to our success at nationals this year. This also carried into the successes we had in partner stunt. Having two all-girl groups qualify to compete against so many talented groups and have one place in top three is such an amazing opportunity to represent our school."
No stranger to success on the mat, small coed gameday is an area that has been a specialty for the Fightin' Blue Hens as of late. UD won six-straight national championships at the DI level from 2019-24 – all of which under the direction of current Spirit Coordinator and All-Girl Head Cheer Coach Kirby Lynch.
"This season we focused a lot on our mindset and training ourselves to be mentally strong," senior Ryan Bigley said. "Our physical performance relies heavily on the mental preparation we've done all season leading up to nationals. When preparing to enter this new division, we remained focused on ourselves and took it as an opportunity to represent Delaware in a new way. We kept reminding ourselves that we had nothing to lose and so much to gain. It is truly special to be part of the team that made history — not only as the first UD team to compete in D1A, but also by placing fifth in the nation for our first year in the division."
Under second-year head coach Gabby De Lima, the Hens made an immediate splash with their choreographed dance to 'Ante Up' by M.O.P. The program has a rich hip hop tradition, having won eight UDA national titles.
"This season was incredibly meaningful, not just because of our success, but because we had the opportunity to represent the University of Delaware in a brand new division," senior dancer Mackenzie LaMotta said. "As a team, we poured countless hours, sacrifices, and so much heart into this year, and to see that work pay off was unforgettable. Wearing the Blue Hen name at nationals for the first time in DIA and finishing in sixth for hip hop is something I'll carry with me forever. I'm beyond proud of this team, our fight, and the standard we continue to set for this program."
At only the beginning of this new era, the rich history of tradition and success remains a constant in Newark with the programs regularly reflecting on the 28 national championships won by cheer, dance, and mascot in the spirit program's annals.
Players Mentioned
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