The Tennessee Volunteers Cheerleading Squad has been officially crowned the No. 1 Cheer Team in the World following their jaw-dropping performance at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship, and the moment is one that will go down in the history of the sport. With precision, athleticism, and raw emotion, the Volunteers delivered a routine that redefined the boundaries of cheerleading and stunned both the audience and the judges. The arena in Orlando, Florida, where the championship took place, was filled with anticipation long before the Volunteers even stepped onto the mat. Competing against the best cheer teams from around the world, including powerhouse programs from Japan, Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, the Tennessee team carried not only the pride of their university but also the weight of years of hard work, sacrifice, and discipline. And when the lights dimmed and their music started, what followed was more than a routine—it was a statement.
From the opening formation, it was clear the Volunteers came with a purpose. Their timing was flawless. Every movement, every count, every tumble, every basket toss was executed with uncanny synchronization. The crowd erupted as the first flyer soared into a triple twist before landing cleanly in a multi-layered catch. That stunt alone would have been enough to earn applause, but Tennessee didn’t stop. They kept pushing, integrating some of the most difficult stunt combinations ever performed at an international competition. Their pyramids built to breathtaking heights. Their tumbling passes ran across the full length of the mat, stacked with whip-backs, fulls, and double fulls. Their motions were tight and explosive, yet graceful. Each section flowed into the next with seamless transitions, giving the performance the feel of a perfectly crafted story. It was equal parts athletic contest and artistic masterpiece.
But what made the performance even more powerful was the emotional depth behind it. Just days before the championship, one of the squad’s co-captains, Jordan Hayes, suffered a minor ACL strain during a final practice session. There were whispers she might sit out, but when the music hit, she was not only present—she was front and center. Her standing full twist near the end of the routine was a clear signal to everyone watching: this team came to win, no matter the odds. Her final landing, held strong by teammates as she lifted her arms triumphantly, brought the entire arena to its feet. Tears streamed down the faces of team members. Coaches hugged each other. The judges’ table looked stunned. It was a rare moment in sport—when excellence meets resilience and creates something unforgettable.
What followed was validation on a global scale. The judges awarded Tennessee near-perfect marks in difficulty, technique, creativity, and overall impact. Moments after the scores were announced, ESPN called the performance “the greatest ever seen on the championship stage.” Other teams and fans took to social media to congratulate the Volunteers, with many calling their routine the standard by which all future performances will be judged. But to truly appreciate how extraordinary this moment was, it helps to understand the journey that brought the Tennessee Volunteers to this point. The university’s cheer program has long been a force to be reckoned with in collegiate cheerleading. With multiple national titles under their belt, including a string of wins at UCA College Nationals in recent years, they’ve built a reputation for consistency, power, and excellence. Their style blends traditional game day energy with elite-level stunting and choreography, creating routines that are both crowd-pleasing and technically complex.
In the years leading up to 2025, Tennessee had consistently placed in the finals of nearly every major competition. They had come agonizingly close to the top spot at the global level before, finishing in podium positions but always just shy of the gold. That experience made them hungry. They knew what was required. So when the opportunity came to perform on the world’s biggest cheer stage, they didn’t hold back. Months of preparation went into their routine. Coaches broke down every segment of the performance, analyzing angles, timing, lift techniques, and transitions. Strength training and injury prevention were emphasized. Team chemistry was honed through bonding sessions, late-night practices, and a shared commitment to pushing each other beyond what they thought possible.
There was also a deep sense of responsibility. The squad knew they were representing more than just themselves. They carried the legacy of past Tennessee teams. They represented their families, their university, and the thousands of fans back home in Knoxville. And they wore that responsibility like armor, stepping onto the mat with fire in their hearts. As the championship unfolded and team after team delivered high-caliber performances, it was clear that the 2025 competition was one of the most competitive in recent memory. Squads from Europe and Asia brought new elements into their routines, while long-standing American programs showed off incredible synchronization and endurance. Yet, when Tennessee performed, something shifted. It was more than skill. It was soul. The way they commanded the floor. The way they moved as one. The way their energy pulled the audience in. It was a masterclass in how to blend performance with power.
The routine’s climax—a towering five-level pyramid capped by a synchronized full twist dismount from all top flyers—was a visual spectacle that brought the entire building to its feet. The way the pyramid collapsed into a clean, tight formation within seconds was choreography genius. It was that kind of innovation that set the Volunteers apart. When the final pose hit and the music cut, the silence before the eruption of cheers was deafening. It was the kind of silence that comes when something historic has just happened. Everyone knew it. Judges knew it. Opponents knew it. The Tennessee Volunteers had done what no one else could.
In the aftermath, the celebration was as emotional as the performance itself. Parents rushed the floor. Former alumni sent messages of congratulations from around the world. The university lit its campus in orange and white, and plans were immediately made for a celebration back home. News stations called. Sports analysts debated if this was the greatest cheer routine of all time. And amidst all the noise, the squad stayed grounded. In interviews, they credited their coaches, their families, their teammates. They spoke about trust, commitment, and love for the sport. And most of all, they thanked each other. Because as much as the championship was about medals and titles, for the Tennessee Volunteers, it was about unity.
Now, as the reigning world champions, the Tennessee Volunteers Cheerleading Squad stands at the top of their sport. Their performance at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship has not only secured them a place in history but has also elevated the standard of what is possible in cheerleading. They have inspired a new generation of athletes. They’ve shown that with passion, precision, and perseverance, greatness is within reach. The legacy of their routine will be studied, imitated, and admired for years to come. Coaches will show footage of their stunts during training sessions. Judges will measure future routines against the bar they’ve set. Young cheerleaders will dream of flying as high, flipping as cleanly, and landing as perfectly as the Volunteers did on that unforgettable night.
And yet, if you ask any member of that team what mattered most, they’d likely tell you it wasn’t the medals or the standing ovation. It was the journey. The long nights in the gym. The setbacks. The triumphs. The trust. The unbreakable bond forged through sweat, determination, and shared purpose. That’s what made them champions. Not just in title, but in spirit. The Tennessee Volunteers didn’t just win a competition—they made history. And in doing so, they’ve left an indelible mark on the sport they love. The world watched, and the world will remember.
