University of Tennessee Athletics
Spirit Squads Receive National Championship Rings
September 23, 2020 | Cheer, Dance & Mascots
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In honor of their phenomenal performances at the 2020 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance National Championships in January, the Tennessee Spirit squads received their national championship rings on Tuesday.
Each championship ring displays a custom-cut T stone as the centerpiece, proclaiming Tennessee's reign as champions.
The hardware emanates from the dance team securing its sixth national title in school history and the cheer team obtaining that program's first national championship, after bringing home a first-place finish in the Division 1A Game Day Competition.
"It's very gratifying to see the cheer team's hard work pay off as they received their National Championship rings," cheer coach Chelsea Bowlin said. "All the credit and glory first and foremost goes to the good Lord, and secondly to these young, talented student-athletes. This group committed to a single purpose and conquered it. They believed, they were passionate, they sacrificed, they love this University and its rich traditions, and most importantly they love each other. When you can get a group that can bring all of those dynamics together, great things can and will happen."
Senior cheerleader Lauren Geffon is proud to be a part of this historical accomplishment.
"I was so surprised," Geffon said. "It's been so long, and we finally got them. It feels so good, especially after this really hard time that we've had (during the pandemic). It was a really nice surprise.
"As a senior, it really means a lot. We've been through a lot the past three years that I've been here. To be a part of history really feels good, and we're really excited to continue that this year."
Patrick Ramirez, a senior leader on the cheer squad, is excited for what this first national championship means for the future of the program.
"I feel like it's the best thing we could've ever done, but it's also the first of many," Ramirez said. "I feel like it's the building stone for future years and the next generations to come in and see what we do and see what we're capable of here at Tennessee."
After the dance team's previous five national titles came in the Jazz Dance Competition, the Vols' sixth championship results from their effort in the pom performance, marking their third national championship win in six years.  Even more impressively, it came in just their third year competing in the pom category.
Tennessee dance coach, Kelley Tafazzoli, is elated for the program and its forward momentum.
"During this current time of uncertainty and change, the ring reveal reminded each of us of something that is certain – hard work and perseverance pays off," Tafazzoli said. "It is truly an honor to represent the University of Tennessee at the national competition – and even better to have a daily reminder to wear, now, of the successful 2019-20 season.  We are looking forward to using the momentum, excitement and pride from this ring reveal to fuel this new season."
Senior dancer Haley Mañalac affirmed that the reveal of the rings was a successful surprise.
"(Getting the ring) was such a surprise," Mañalac stated. "I wasn't expecting it this morning, and now that we got it, it's just bringing back all of the memories of Nationals. It's just so great to finally have it. It's beautiful, and it just shows off all of our hard work."
Rosey Ozimkowski, a senior member of the dance team, relived Tennessee's championship victory when she received her ring.
"My first reaction when I saw the ring was just having all of those emotions flooding in from January," Ozimkowski said. "It was so gratifying and so relieving to finally see our hard work paying off in the form of a ring. It made me feel so proud to be on this team, so proud to be back on Rocky Top and eager for the next season."
A championship ring encompasses all of the grueling hours that a team puts into its craft, the strain that is required both mentally and physically and the dedication it takes to reach a common goal.
"It is so rewarding to see all of our hard work, blood, sweat and tears in this one, sparkly, amazing ring on my finger," Mañalac said.
Ozimkowski emphatically exclaimed what it means to bring home UT's first dance national championship since 2016.
"I truly have never felt a greater feeling in my life," Ozimkowski said. "All of the hard work that we put in from December to January and everything in-between... seeing it all pay off feels so rewarding. I've been so proud to be a Tennessee Vol. It's definitely an amazing feeling."
With the dance team finishing second in the Game Day competition, Tennessee is one of just two schools in the nation to place both its cheer and dance teams in the top five of the Division 1A Game Day Competition this year.
Ozimkowski detailed how special the ring is to her and her teammates.
"It is such a rewarding feeling," Ozimkowski said. "It's great to see our recognition in the form of something, in the form of a ring. We have our names engraved on them. Everything is so personal. We absolutely love it, and we're just cherishing every moment."
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Each championship ring displays a custom-cut T stone as the centerpiece, proclaiming Tennessee's reign as champions.
The hardware emanates from the dance team securing its sixth national title in school history and the cheer team obtaining that program's first national championship, after bringing home a first-place finish in the Division 1A Game Day Competition.
"It's very gratifying to see the cheer team's hard work pay off as they received their National Championship rings," cheer coach Chelsea Bowlin said. "All the credit and glory first and foremost goes to the good Lord, and secondly to these young, talented student-athletes. This group committed to a single purpose and conquered it. They believed, they were passionate, they sacrificed, they love this University and its rich traditions, and most importantly they love each other. When you can get a group that can bring all of those dynamics together, great things can and will happen."
Senior cheerleader Lauren Geffon is proud to be a part of this historical accomplishment.
"I was so surprised," Geffon said. "It's been so long, and we finally got them. It feels so good, especially after this really hard time that we've had (during the pandemic). It was a really nice surprise.
"As a senior, it really means a lot. We've been through a lot the past three years that I've been here. To be a part of history really feels good, and we're really excited to continue that this year."
Patrick Ramirez, a senior leader on the cheer squad, is excited for what this first national championship means for the future of the program.
"I feel like it's the best thing we could've ever done, but it's also the first of many," Ramirez said. "I feel like it's the building stone for future years and the next generations to come in and see what we do and see what we're capable of here at Tennessee."
After the dance team's previous five national titles came in the Jazz Dance Competition, the Vols' sixth championship results from their effort in the pom performance, marking their third national championship win in six years.  Even more impressively, it came in just their third year competing in the pom category.
Tennessee dance coach, Kelley Tafazzoli, is elated for the program and its forward momentum.
"During this current time of uncertainty and change, the ring reveal reminded each of us of something that is certain – hard work and perseverance pays off," Tafazzoli said. "It is truly an honor to represent the University of Tennessee at the national competition – and even better to have a daily reminder to wear, now, of the successful 2019-20 season.  We are looking forward to using the momentum, excitement and pride from this ring reveal to fuel this new season."
Senior dancer Haley Mañalac affirmed that the reveal of the rings was a successful surprise.
"(Getting the ring) was such a surprise," Mañalac stated. "I wasn't expecting it this morning, and now that we got it, it's just bringing back all of the memories of Nationals. It's just so great to finally have it. It's beautiful, and it just shows off all of our hard work."
Rosey Ozimkowski, a senior member of the dance team, relived Tennessee's championship victory when she received her ring.
"My first reaction when I saw the ring was just having all of those emotions flooding in from January," Ozimkowski said. "It was so gratifying and so relieving to finally see our hard work paying off in the form of a ring. It made me feel so proud to be on this team, so proud to be back on Rocky Top and eager for the next season."
A championship ring encompasses all of the grueling hours that a team puts into its craft, the strain that is required both mentally and physically and the dedication it takes to reach a common goal.
"It is so rewarding to see all of our hard work, blood, sweat and tears in this one, sparkly, amazing ring on my finger," Mañalac said.
Ozimkowski emphatically exclaimed what it means to bring home UT's first dance national championship since 2016.
"I truly have never felt a greater feeling in my life," Ozimkowski said. "All of the hard work that we put in from December to January and everything in-between... seeing it all pay off feels so rewarding. I've been so proud to be a Tennessee Vol. It's definitely an amazing feeling."
With the dance team finishing second in the Game Day competition, Tennessee is one of just two schools in the nation to place both its cheer and dance teams in the top five of the Division 1A Game Day Competition this year.
Ozimkowski detailed how special the ring is to her and her teammates.
"It is such a rewarding feeling," Ozimkowski said. "It's great to see our recognition in the form of something, in the form of a ring. We have our names engraved on them. Everything is so personal. We absolutely love it, and we're just cherishing every moment."
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Players Mentioned
/ Cheer, Dance & Mascots
/ Cheer, Dance & Mascots
/ Cheer, Dance & Mascots
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