Tennessee cheer and dance squads win national championships

The University of Tennessee's spirit program put its best pom forward after claiming national titles in all three categories — cheer, dance and mascot — at the 2020 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance National Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Tennessee was the only Division 1A program to win a national title in each category. Only Tennessee and Ohio State placed in the top 10 in all three categories in Division 1A.

The cheer squad won its first national championship in its history by placing first in the Division 1A Game Day Competition, a three-minute routine that mimics the sidelines of a college football game.

Before Rocky Top was on top, the squad went toe-to-toe with 20 other teams from across the country in the semifinals. University of Cincinnati finished second, followed by Ole Miss in third.

The Tennessee dance team clinched its sixth national championship, this time in pom performance. Its previous five titles had come from jazz performance. This was the third year Tennessee competed in pom and the first time the team advanced to finals.

In addition, the Vols' dance team placed second nationally in the Game Day competition. University of Nevada, Las Vegas won the national championship, and Washington State University placed third.

Mascot Smokey won three national titles in the mascot division.

Tennessee was one of just two programs to place both its cheer and dance teams in the top five of Division 1A in the Game Day Competition, joined by SEC colleague Ole Miss.