Jan. 22, 2001
Orlando, Fla. - The UIC Dancing Flames backed up their reputation as one of the nation's finest collegiate dance teams recently as they placed third overall on the Division I level at the 2001 College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships, January 11-13, in Orlando, Fla.
Sitting in eighth position after the opening round of the competition, the Flames, who placed sixth at the 2000 championships, rallied back in the final round held at Disney's Wide World of Sports as they put together a precise routine to leap frog five schools and bring home the third-place trophy to UIC.
"This year was amazing," remarked head coach Donnette Kuba. "Everyone was so talented and dedicated, and our third place performance at nationals proved it. I couldn't have asked for a better squad of dancers to work with."
UIC, which finished behind national champion Cal-State Fullerton and runner-up Oakland (Mich.), was one of 16 schools selected to compete in this prestigious event. Over 150 other cheerleading and dance teams submitted video-taped entries to earn entry into the championships.
This year's routine focused on Japanimation, highlighted with a selection of Matrix choreography.
The national competition will be broadcast on ESPN 2 on March 22.
