University of Tennessee Athletics
Pursuit of Sixth National Championship Begins for Dance Team
June 18, 2018 | Cheer, Dance & Mascots
June 15, 2018 - KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Boasting five national championships and eight additional top-3 finishes at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) College National Championship over the last 13 years, the Tennessee Dance Team is one of the most decorated programs in the nation. But after finishing seventh in 2018 - the first time since 2005 to fall outside the top-3 - the team is on a quest to return to the top in 2019.
Getting there starts now.
All day practices for the newly announced team got underway this week, welcoming seven freshmen to the team of 20 dancers. These newcomers join seven sophomores but only four juniors and two seniors, meaning a youthful team will take the floor in Orlando for nationals in January.
While they may be young, dance coach Kelley Tafazzoli sees a talented group preparing for her 13th season at the helm.
"We already see incredible technique and fundamentals at work in this group," said Tafazzoli. "I have no doubt that this group has the potential to be coached up to a high level of excellence."
Not only does the season begin this week with practice, but the team will also attend UDA's College Spirit Camp this summer and begin working on choreography for two of its three nationals routines before classes resume in August. In addition to competing in the Division 1A Jazz and Pom categories at nationals in January, the dance team will also compete in the new Game Day category as well.
Â
