UNC All-Girl Cheerleading Squad Crowned World’s Best by ESPN After Record-Setting Performance
In a dazzling display of athleticism, artistry, and unmatched precision, the University of North Carolina’s All-Girl Cheerleading Squad has been officially named the world’s best by ESPN. The accolade follows a history-making performance at the 2025 International Cheer Championships in Orlando, Florida, where the Tar Heels delivered a routine that left audiences breathless and judges stunned.
The routine — now being hailed as “The Carolina Phenomenon” — blended complex stunts, razor-sharp tumbling passes, and synchronized choreography with a narrative thread that celebrated resilience, teamwork, and innovation. From the opening formation, the squad exuded power and unity, launching into a sequence that included a quintuple basket toss — a first in competitive cheer history — followed by a seamless transition into a synchronized double-layout tumbling pass performed by all 20 members.
Choreographed by head coach Tara Simmons and lead captain Elise Vaughn, the routine was months in the making. According to insiders, the team began conceptualizing their theme and stunts in August 2024, pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible in collegiate cheer. “We didn’t want to just win — we wanted to inspire,” Simmons told ESPN. “We asked ourselves: what does the future of cheer look like? Then we became it.”
The judges awarded the UNC team a near-perfect score of 99.8 out of 100 — the highest ever recorded in the championship’s history. The score reflected not only their flawless execution but also their innovative elements, including a rotating pyramid dubbed “The Tar Heel Spiral,” which involved eight flyers rotating in unison on elevated levels — a stunt requiring perfect balance, timing, and nerve.
Audiences around the globe were captivated. Within 24 hours of ESPN airing the performance, social media exploded. The routine garnered over 50 million views across platforms, with professional athletes, Olympic gymnasts, and celebrities applauding the performance. NFL star and former UNC alum Trevon West called it “the most jaw-dropping display of athletic excellence I’ve seen this year.”
Behind the glamour and global recognition, however, lies a story of grit. The team trained six days a week, balancing the grueling physical demands of elite cheer with academic responsibilities. Several members overcame injuries, including sophomore flyer Jess Kim, who returned to full strength just weeks before the final. “We had setbacks,” said Vaughn, who graduates this spring. “But we leaned on each other. Every flip, every stunt, every scream — it came from our soul.”
The ESPN title marks a historic moment not just for UNC, but for collegiate cheerleading as a whole. Analysts predict the routine will redefine training standards across the sport, with other programs already studying frame-by-frame breakdowns to learn from the Tar Heels’ performance.
As celebrations continue in Chapel Hill, one thing is clear: the UNC All-Girl Cheerleading Squad didn’t just win a title — they changed the game.
