UD cheer, dance, mascot teams to perform national championship routines

8:11 a.m., Jan. 7, 2016--The nationally-ranked University of Delaware spirit teams are headed to the national cheer, dance and mascot championships later this month but not before they showcase their routines in a special Spirit Send-Off performance scheduled Monday evening, Jan. 11, at the Carpenter Sports Building. 

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

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The spirit teams, under the direction of cheerleading coach Rob Ellery and dance team coach Nicole Zehnder, will then head to Orlando, Florida, for the UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships on Jan. 15-17 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

The UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship is the most prestigious college cheerleading championship in the country. The events will be broadcast live online at ESPN3 and Varsity.com. 

“The UD cheer, dance, and mascot teams have been working vigorously to prepare for nationals,” said Ellery. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the University of Delaware at the national championships. The dedication and commitment of our students and staff is truly incredible and I look forward to watching all of our teams shine down in Orlando.”

UD teams will compete all three days beginning on Friday, Jan. 15, when the Blue Hens take part in the All-Girl Partner Stunt National Championship competition with the team of Nicole Sanguedolce, Rachel Cunningham, Johnna Brooks and Alexa Pepe competing at 6:15 p.m. and Kimmy Castellucci, Angela Trozzi, Jenna Krasley and Izzy Debnam competing at 7:34 p.m. The teams are coached by Ellery and Ashley Cormier and advised by Tony Goldston.

Later that evening, UD will compete in the Open Mascot National Championships with YoUDee competing at 8:23 p.m. The award programs will follow. 

On Saturday, Jan. 16, teams from UD will compete in the Dance Division I Hip-Hop semifinals at 9:40 a.m., in the Dance Division I Jazz semifinals at 4:42 p.m., and in the Cheer Division I finals at 9:30 p.m.

“The dance team is excited to continue to show the collegiate dance world how versatile, impactful and powerful the University of Delaware Dance Team is,” said Zehnder, who is assisted by Andrea Yuzuk. 

The schedule on Sunday, Jan. 17, will include the Division I Jazz finals at 9 a.m. and the Division I Hip-Hop finals at 10:38 a.m. 

Additional information about both national championships and full coverage of the events are available online, with the cheer competition available at this website and the dance competition at this website.