The University of Saint Thomas dance team left the 2017 UDA College National Championship with one national title in hip hop and a second-place finish in the largest jazz division of the event.

In the new year, the Tommies are preparing to defend their championship and take home more hardware this weekend at the 2018 UCA & UDA College National Championship in Orlando, Florida. In the open division, St. Thomas is among the highest-ranked teams in history. 

For the past 14 years, the program has always taken home either first or second place. To say they understand what it takes to be the best would be an understatement.

The squad hopes to keep that trend going with the help of veteran head coach Alysia Ulfers, who gave us some insider knowledge on how this team runs.

Almost every competitive college dance team has a motto or slogan that helps push them through tough practices leading up to nationals. The motto usually defines who they are and the goal they are working to achieve. The 2017-2018 University of St. Thomas dance team wants to make sure they give it their all each and every time they practice and perform. This year’s motto is “End On Empty”

Ulfers said this concept was created by the captains and fellow coach and choreographer, Julia Randall, before the first practice. The motto helps the athletes to remember to “leave the studio knowing you gave it everything you had instead of waiting for when it counts."

Photo by Alysia Ulfers

Unlike many college spirit squads, St. Thomas does not count down the days until nationals; they count down the hours. The girls take the full holiday break for two weeks before they return to 2018 practices. Counting down the hours helps the Tommies relax, as they can mentally envision more time before taking the stage. Every UDA college team can relate to the stress of feeling like there just isn’t enough time before heading to Disney.

When it comes to hip hop, St. Thomas is known for flawlessly executing difficult full team variations of headsprings, kip ups, and more. This year their routine is taking a different route than the themes portrayed in the past. The Tommie dance team will be going for a more playful approach with the choreography and music choices. 

The variety of music selection has allowed them to showcase a variety of hip hop styles. Led by team captains Chloe Gilbreth, Mackenzie Davidge, Annie Vitale, and Hailey Nerison, the St. Thomas dance team is ready to bring something extra special to their performance.

Photo by The University of St. Thomas

“The full team trick in our hip hop dance is the part of the routine that we feel is really going to impress the audience," the captains said. "This is something that we've been working on the entire season and have drilled every practice. We think that this trick is something that will blow them away when we can execute it as a whole team."

In jazz, some of the most exciting routine moments are when the dancers move in complete unison. The team is hoping for a powerful opening that draw the fans in right away. 

"We also really love the opening because the girls say they can hear each other breathing and they also get to make eye contact," Ulfers said. "It's a special way to begin the routine that really sets the tone and let's the girls feel each other's energy."

Tune in to Varsity TV on Saturday, January 13, to watch the University of St. Thomas dance team compete for their chance at a national championship title.

By Megan Miles

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