Another year means another UDA College Nationals, better known as “The Dance Superbowl,” which continues to flood social media year after year. Whether it’s for the athletes iconic performances or minute easter eggs that hint at their routines, all eyes are on this highly anticipated event. It is the most competitive collegiate dance competition of the year. From January 16-18th, the teams will hit the mat at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL, to contend for a national title. 

Collegiate teams compete in three rounds: prelims, semis, and finals. Each round eliminates teams, leaving the final ten teams for the last day of competition. 

As the competitiveness and popularity seem to grow, new teams are entering the scene, including the ASU Sunsationals––a team who has attended UDA in the past but hasn’t in recent years. The team is known for their flashy skills, precise technique, making them one of the teams that people are keeping their eyes on. Many of these teams transition from an opposing competition called, “National Dance Alliance” better known as NDA. 

Each year, teams strive to surpass their performances from the year prior. Skills get harder, choreography becomes more complex, and teams become hungrier for a place at the top. College dance teams practice for relentless hours while simultaneously cheering on their school’s sports teams–like men’s and women’s basketball and football–while also balancing school work. At the end of the day, the astounding time commitment is worth it when you step foot at the castle. 

Lake Forest Dance Team Alum Reese Harper will be taking the UDA Nationals floor alongside The Ohio State Dance Team, one of the nation’s most elite and competitive dance programs. Led by their renowned coaches, choreographers, and support team, the Buckeyes outdo themselves each year at Nationals.       

“Although at the moment the long days are hard and feel never ending, looking back I am grateful for all the time spent with my team. We’ve truly poured all of ourselves into these routines this year, and now we get to go to UDA confident in the products,” said Harper. “Our schedule has definitely been intense for the last month preparing three routines, but we embrace that and show up with the same energy each day.”

In the past, two teams have dominated the cut throat DIA category: The Ohio State Dance Team and the Minnesota Dance Team. At the 2025 competition, the Buckeyes took first place in jazz, competing in a dynamic and artistic routine choreographed by Ricky Ubeda. However, their Pom dance choreographed by Carsen Rowe and her Tribe 99 assistants placed 2nd to the Minnesota dance team. Minnesota’s dance competed a showstopping pom routine that featured edgy and flawless visuals, showstopping acro, and a turn sequence in complete silence. They also completed a touching and emotional jazz piece to “A Women’s Work” that received 2nd place. 

Carsen Rowe, founder of Tribe 99, used to choreograph for the Lake Forest Dance Team and left with medals. 

Current Lake Forest Dance Team Assistant Coach and alum Caroline Martino and former Lake Forest dance team JV coach and alum Meredith Delaney experienced her artistry and intensity first hand. 

“Carsen was strong, powerful, captivating in her movement quality, and extremely technically talented. On top of this, she had a very high level of expectation for what the vision and execution would be from her teams, and she would not stop until she saw it come to fruition,” said Martino. “She supported the team by visits throughout the season and spending ample time at Nationals getting everyone in the right mindset and prepping before performances.” 

Rowe has built Tribe 99, and a community of choreographers that now heavily attribute the College Dance Team recruitment process and UDA Nationals today. 

“I think Carsen has the ‘growth mindset’ — always wanting to improve, never settling. That’s how she was with our team and we believe that’s how she’s gotten to where she is today with Tribe,” said Delaney. 

Other teams that should be on watch this season include: University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, Penn State, University of Alabama, Louisiana State, University of Las Vegas, and other emerging teams. However, the results of Nationals truly can’t be predicted as teams each bring such athleticism and artistry to each performance. 

Stevenson High School Alum, and current dancer on University of Alabama Dance Team Tess Freeman reveals how expectations continue to climb each year, while also upholding the program’s legacy and maintaining consistency in how the team is identified. 

On top of the competitiveness, long hours, and constant grind, teams find ways for the growing population of fans to stay on their toes by leaking small snippets of practice footage and leaving behind “easter eggs” to keep people questioning. 

A major easter egg teams incorporate is having dancers change their Instagram profile pictures to reflect a theme or concept from one of their routines–often an inside joke or a niche reference only insiders understand.

The countdown will be over soon as the UDA stage prepares to welcome collegiate dancers from all around the nation. From standout dancers, and clever easter eggs to visionary choreographers and new teams adding to their legacy or making their mark, the bar won’t just be met; it will be raised. 

These jaw-dropping performances will be talked about for decades, leveling up the dance world not just for collegiate dancers, but for dancers of all ages. This next chapter is already shaping up to be unforgettable and break barriers. This weekend isn’t just about competition or a first place national title–it’s a statement about where dance is headed next. Stay tuned for this weekend as barriers will be broken and history will be made.