Wolverines Claim Global Glory: Crowned #1 Cheer Team in the World
ANN ARBOR, MI — In a dazzling eruption of tumbling stunts, synchronized flips, and deafening crowd roars, the University of Michigan Wolverines etched their name into history on July 25th, 2025, as the #1 Cheer Team in the World. The unprecedented win unfolded at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida, an event that drew over 200 elite teams from 42 countries and millions of livestream viewers.
Broadcast live on ESPN and officially recognized by the Global Cheer Federation and Guinness World Records, the Wolverines’ routine was a flawless fusion of artistry, athleticism, and unyielding determination. Their theme — “Legacy in Motion” — celebrated the spirit of collegiate excellence and the power of unity, both on and off the mat.
Clocking in at precisely 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the routine was a spectacle of innovation. Opening with a triple-helix basket toss — a move never before executed in international competition — the team immediately stunned the judges. From there, the Wolverines transitioned into an intricate pyramid sequence, interlocking flyers and bases in a seamless vertical choreography that defied gravity and expectation.
Judges awarded the team a record-breaking 99.6 out of 100 points. Notably, their difficulty score (38.5/40) set a new benchmark in competitive cheer, pushing the boundaries of what’s considered possible. Even more impressively, the Wolverines achieved a rare perfect score in synchronization — a feat that drew a standing ovation from a panel known for its razor-sharp scrutiny.
Led by head coach Taryn Hill, a former NCAA All-American and Olympic-level gymnast, the team’s journey to the top was anything but easy. “We knew the competition would be fierce, with teams from Japan, Brazil, and South Korea coming in strong,” Hill said. “But this group of athletes? They trained through injuries, academic pressure, even a campus snowstorm that shut down practice halls. They never lost focus.”
The team’s captain, senior flyer Mia Reynolds, added, “We weren’t just performing — we were telling a story about resilience, tradition, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. This win belongs to every Wolverine, past and present.”
The ICDC title has elevated Michigan to global recognition not only in cheer but across the broader athletic spectrum. The Guinness World Records panel, present onsite, certified the Wolverines’ win as “the highest-scoring collegiate cheer performance in global championship history.”
Celebrations erupted on the University of Michigan campus, where crowds flooded the Diag and the Big House lit up maize and blue in tribute. University President Dr. Elise Cavanaugh called the victory “a defining cultural moment for Michigan — proof that spirit, strength, and scholarship can coexist at the highest level.”
As the Wolverines return to Ann Arbor with gold medals, global praise, and a world title, one message rings clear: This team didn’t just cheer — they made history.
