University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Spirit Squad
Gophers Defend Titles at UCA & UDA Championships
1/18/2026 8:54:00 PM | Spirit Squad
The University of Minnesota added two titles to its storied history at the 2026 UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship this weekend in Orlando, Fla.
The Gophers defended their titles in the Cheer (D1A Small Coed Game Day) and Dance (D1A Pom) categories, while finishing second in the D1A Mascot (Goldy Gopher) and third both the D1A Jazz (Dance) and the Small Coed D1 finals. All events this weekend were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Minnesota Spirit Squad is one of the nation's most decorated and historic programs, with 30 combined UCA/UDA National Championships. It marks back-to-back titles for Cheer (Small Coed Game Day) and the 24th title for Dance.
The Gophers opened competition on Friday, defending their Small Coed Game Day championship. Minnesota took top billing over Memphis and James Madison. Minnesota won its first-ever cheer title in 2025 and continued that tradition at the 2026 championship.
​
The Gophers earned their fourth-straight Pom title as they defeated Texas Tech and Ohio State. The Gophers finished third in Jazz, as Ohio State won the championship with LSU finishing second. Cheer also competed in the final round of the D1A Small Coed Cheer division and finished third. Memphis took home the title, followed by Purdue and Minnesota in bronze.Â
​Goldy Gopher finished second nationally in the mascot division, bettering the fourth-place finish a year ago. Ohio State (Brutus Buckeye) won the competition, while Tennessee (Smokey) placed third.Â
Cheer:
D1A Small Coed Game Day: National Champions
1. Minnesota
2. Memphis
3. James Madison
D1A Small Coed Cheer:
1. Memphis
2. Purdue
3. Minnesota
Dance:
D1A Pom: Fourth-Straight National Title
1. Â Minnesota
2. Â Texas Tech
3. Â Ohio State
D1A Jazz:
1. Â Ohio State
2. Â LSU
3. Â Minnesota
D1A Mascot:
Mascot Division
1. Ohio State (Brutus Buckeye
2. Minnesota (Goldy Gopher)
3. Tennessee (Smokey)
Â
The Gophers defended their titles in the Cheer (D1A Small Coed Game Day) and Dance (D1A Pom) categories, while finishing second in the D1A Mascot (Goldy Gopher) and third both the D1A Jazz (Dance) and the Small Coed D1 finals. All events this weekend were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Minnesota Spirit Squad is one of the nation's most decorated and historic programs, with 30 combined UCA/UDA National Championships. It marks back-to-back titles for Cheer (Small Coed Game Day) and the 24th title for Dance.
The Gophers opened competition on Friday, defending their Small Coed Game Day championship. Minnesota took top billing over Memphis and James Madison. Minnesota won its first-ever cheer title in 2025 and continued that tradition at the 2026 championship.
​
The Gophers earned their fourth-straight Pom title as they defeated Texas Tech and Ohio State. The Gophers finished third in Jazz, as Ohio State won the championship with LSU finishing second. Cheer also competed in the final round of the D1A Small Coed Cheer division and finished third. Memphis took home the title, followed by Purdue and Minnesota in bronze.Â
​Goldy Gopher finished second nationally in the mascot division, bettering the fourth-place finish a year ago. Ohio State (Brutus Buckeye) won the competition, while Tennessee (Smokey) placed third.Â
Cheer:
D1A Small Coed Game Day: National Champions
1. Minnesota
2. Memphis
3. James Madison
D1A Small Coed Cheer:
1. Memphis
2. Purdue
3. Minnesota
Dance:
D1A Pom: Fourth-Straight National Title
1. Â Minnesota
2. Â Texas Tech
3. Â Ohio State
D1A Jazz:
1. Â Ohio State
2. Â LSU
3. Â Minnesota
D1A Mascot:
Mascot Division
1. Ohio State (Brutus Buckeye
2. Minnesota (Goldy Gopher)
3. Tennessee (Smokey)
Â
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