“This Is Us”—The Ohio State University Dance Team

The Ohio State University dancers are headed to the 2018 UDA College National Championship with all the ingredients it takes for another year of success. You can catch this Division IA dance team competing in both pom and jazz this weekend in Orlando, Florida.

In 2017, the Buckeye dance team returned to Columbus with their highest ranking ever in both styles. Two second-place finishes in a division filled with undeniable talent is a great achievement. They have been working hard all year preparing for the championship and we can’t wait to watch in awe during those magical two minutes on the marley floor.

The Buckeye dance team has a long history of excellence, dating back to the 1950s! They want to maintain their foundation and authenticity while still being innovative in 2018. They’ve brought a new motto — “This Is Us” — to help keep them focused on their goals. As the team has evolved, they have incorporated new elements in their routines that will push the boundaries in the new year.

Photo by Beth Toland Photography

Their pom routine does not have any specific theme, but there will be a new vibe that may not be expected. But you can know one thing for sure: these dancers are going to execute. Year after year, they bring the sharpness, seamless transitions and the intense entertainment to the stage.

In jazz, the Buckeye dance team has been managing to successfully execute full team aerial cartwheels in their routines for the past two years, and we are sure to see more of this athleticism in 2018. This year, they’ve focused on giving equal attention to both technique and performance — rather than one or the other.

OSU has shown dedication and heart while practicing these difficult routines. There has been consistent hard work to be done, as this team of 20 only has six upperclassmen. Although there’s a lot of time going in to the team, these dancers manage to pull off a cumulative GPA of 3.6! 

We checked in with coach Melissa McGhee, and she shared what challenges the team has and what drives the dancers.

“Every year we have a challenge to blend so many individual dancer’s styles to create our own team identity," she said. "It is beneficial, though, to have dancers with a stylized background to help push each other to the best end result.”

McGhee tells us that both routines are “very rooted in musicality.” If the dancers can push through to stay together with quality of movement in mind, it can make for a high execution score from the judges. McGhee shares the coaching responsibilities with Patrick Carmichael and Lauren Burns. 

When you check out The Ohio State University Dance Team social media, you can catch pictures of the team having fun together and with coaches. Coaching the program, McGhee says, is “so enjoyable.” Senior captain Madison Creps has great things to say about the team as well.

"I am lucky to be on a team with 19 other girls who are without a doubt the hardest working people I know. . . . Our want to consistently get better keeps us focused and humble."

The dance team will not have the only performances competing in Orlando. The entire spirit program is making their way to College Nationals. OSU Cheer and Brutus Buckeye will hit the mat this weekend as well. You’ll find the whole program has a special bond. Even with separate practice schedules, the cheerleaders and dancers find bonding opportunities around campus, traveling together, and on game day at Ohio Stadium.

Get ready to cheer on and be impressed — for yet another year — with The Ohio State University. And, yes, don’t forget the “The.”

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By Megan Miles

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