The Universal Dance Competition (UDA) is an annual event that runs at the beginning of each calendar year. This year, the event took place from Jan. 16 to 18 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This event has been coined the Dance Super Bowl.
The competition includes nine categories: Division 1 Jazz, D1 Pom, D1 Hip Hop, D1A Jazz, D1A Pom, D1A Hip Hop, Open Jazz, Open Pom and Open Hip Hop.
While Ohio University has competed in the past, the school was not present at this year’s competition. The University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University represented the state of Ohio, earning three titles between the two institutions.
UC placed third in D1A Hip Hop. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas placed first, with Louisiana State University placing second.
The LSU dance team was a feat to see in this competition. Not only did the Tiger Girls show up, but they also brought some unique swag with them. The dance team’s Kendrick Lamar-themed routine turned into one of the most notable performances in the competition. The routine was set to a mashup from his last Super Bowl Halftime Show, and fans were locked in from the beginning.
OSU brought home the first-place trophy in D1A Jazz, as well as third in D1A Pom. In the pom category, OSU placed third behind the University of Minnesota and Texas Tech University, who placed first and second, respectively. The scores were not far apart; Minnesota had a score of 97.3667, Texas Tech had 97.1 and OSU trailed with 96.4. This was Minnesota’s fourth consecutive D1A pom title.
In the jazz category, LSU placed second behind OSU. This was the best record in the program's history, and despite not winning overall, the Tiger Girls celebrated. Their performance had some people wondering if they should have won overall. Another debate on whether LSU should have won the competition was in the hip-hop category.
Both OSU and UNLV are highly decorated in the UDA Nationals. The programs have had numerous wins and trophies from their collective years of competition. As both of their wins are credited to the two most prestigious awards in the competition, the schools went home knowing their hard work paid off. Both programs are recognized as some of the best in the country.
For OSU, the team’s win earned its third consecutive national championship and its sixth in the last seven years. Last year, it earned first in jazz and second in pom. This was the opposite for the University of Minnesota, which placed first in pom and second in jazz. These two dance teams are rivals and often compete neck and neck.
This year, OSU won jazz, and Minnesota was knocked down to third place. It took the win for the pom category while Ohio State trailed in third. Despite not being first and second in these categories, both won one and got third in another, tying in trophies and continuing their rivalry.
The rivalry is strengthened by two sisters: Ava Wagner, dancing for Minnesota, and Ellie Wagner for Ohio State. Though both have decided to move on from the dance team, Ava Wagner helped choreograph Minnesota’s jazz routine this year. Both talented dancers, having won national titles themselves, heightened the competition.
With some repeat winners and changes of podiums, the UDA Nationals 2026 were relatively successful. With a great turnout and wonderful dances, the dancers and fans are likely excited to compete in 2027.
