UK Dance Squad Places 5th Nationally in Hip-Hop, Sixth in Pom

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Dance Team turned in a pair of top-six performances at the 2018 Universal Dance Association championships held Sunday, Jan. 14 in Orlando, Fla.

Slotted in Division IA, the Wildcat dancers placed fifth nationally in the Hip-Hop category and sixth in the Pom division.

“I loved our Hip-Hop routine,” Coach Dawn Walters said. “We wanted to bring a message of unity, peace and a color-blind world and we imparted that through (the song) Rhythm Nation.

“The Pom performance was very well-rounded,” Walters continued. “We were proud of the routine and the technical elements. We hit it very solidly.”

The high finishes continued a consistency of success by the UK Dance Team. The Wildcats have finished in the top five in Hip-Hop for five straight years. This marks the second year in a row that the squad has placed in the top six in Pom.

“So many high school and younger kids have watched this (event),” Walters said of the team’s on-going excellence. “They have started following us and set a goal to be a UK dancer.”

The dance team will be honored for their accomplishments Saturday during the men’s basketball game vs. Florida.

Photo by Jamie H. Vaught