UDA Nationals
Written by: Bella Bentley
If you know anything about UDA nationals, you likely know LSU Tiger Girls 2022 Hip Hop performance “Like a Boy” which won them the national title place, or Minnesota and Ohio State’s head-to-head face-off last year to claim the title of national champions in the pom division. However, if you have been living under a rock and have no idea what I am talking about, run, don't walk to TikTok (or Youtube for those who angrily deleted TikTok during the 10 hour ban) to watch these amazing routines. Here is my rating of the 2025 UDA Nationals routines.
Starting strong DIA Pom:
University of Minnesota 6/10
Minnesota came to reclaim their title and that they did. Turns: breathtaking. Skills: chefs kiss. Choreography and execution: perfection. However, I was not in the slightest impressed with their music and or their uniforms. It just didn’t stick out to me. They could have done a lot more with what they had going for them.
Ohio State University 9.5/10
What Minnesota was lacking, Ohio State brought with intensity. The music, the bright red costumes, the choreography/execution, and the poms: Ohio State brought their all. If it was up to me, they would have taken the prize.
University of Tennessee 5/10
Tennessee snuck its way to the top this year, but how I don’t know. Truly this wasn’t a third-place routine, nor even a top 5. The music was old, the choreography was mid at best, and the ending was just not giving. The only word I can use to describe this dance is meh.
Next up: DIA Jazz
Ohio State University 7/10
After last year’s routine, I was expecting greatness from Ohio State. While the dance itself was not lacking, the execution sadly was. They had so much to work with, and quite frankly I am shocked that they placed first. That mess-up in the prelims could have cost them the entire thing, and yet they managed to come back from it. Choreography was just breathtaking, but Minnesota deserved this one.
University of Minnesota 11/10
WOW. The story, the use of roses, the TURNS, the heart. Minnesota quite frankly had it all. Usually you either get technique or a story, hardly ever both, and yet Minnesota defied the odds. Their mess-up should not have cost them the title. I will stand by the fact that they deserved to win.
University of Michigan 5/10
There is not much to say here. The choreography was good and executed very very well. However, their costumes and song choices were honestly just strange. Not surprising that they did not rank higher.
Last but not least: DIA Hip Hop
University of Nevada Las Vegas → Just Perfection 100/10
When I heard Tiger Girls did not even place, I was astonished. However, I may have not known of Nevada Las Vegas before this, but I will forever be looking out for the routines that they show up with. I have no critiques for this because it was amazing. Do yourself a favor and watch this routine because you will not regret it. This was true hip-hop.
San Diego State University 8/10
Clean, smooth, irresistible. So so good. May have had nothing on Nevada, but San Diego came and showed up.
University of Central Florida 7/10
The routine was great, but it just felt like they were trying to do too much. The outfit change just felt a little unnecessary as did a lot of the choreography did to me. They did a great job though.
Honorable Mentions:
Everyone guessed right, LSU Tiger Girls did Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake. I am disappointed that this just did not end up being executed well with the umbrellas because it had amazing potential. The umbrellas, the sparkly black pants, the perfect choreography and unity. So close, yet so far. The Tiger Girls will always be iconic in their hip-hop routines and nothing can change my mind on that. Maybe next year though their jazz routine can actually be a jazz routine…
