ESPN has named the West Virginia University (WVU) Cheerleading Squad the World’s Best Cheerleading Team, following a jaw-dropping performance that captivated audiences around the world and redefined the boundaries of cheerleading excellence.
The historic occasion occurred during the International Spirit and Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida, where more than 100 elite teams from six continents competed. But it was the Mountaineers who stole the show, doing a dance that was so technically daring, emotionally riveting, and flawlessly executed that judges and spectators were stunned.
“This wasn’t just a performance,” ESPN’s lead commentator Melissa Andrews explained. “There was a cultural moment. The West Virginia group did more than just cheer; they created a story, advanced the sport, and drew attention from all across the world.”
Samantha Rizzo’s West Virginia University cheerleading team had been rapidly climbing the rankings in recent years, gaining recognition for their inventiveness and team cohesion. But nothing could have prepared viewers for what they accomplished on championship night. Their performance included faultless pyramids, synchronized tumbling passes, double-twisting basket throws, and a mid-air partner switch, which has never been done successfully in international competition before now.
Their music, a fusion of Appalachian banjo, hip-hop beats, and traditional fight songs, provided the perfect backdrop to highlight the team’s unique roots and modern flair. The final crescendo—where the entire squad created the shape of the state of West Virginia while holding balance poses—sent the arena into a frenzy, garnering four perfect 10s from the judges and setting a new record for the highest cumulative score in competition history.
Coach Rizzo, evidently moved by the announcement, stated, “This is for West Virginia.” For all of our state’s young athletes with high dreams. We worked hard, we believed in our goal, and the world is finally seeing what the Mountaineer spirit is all about.”
The impact was instantaneous and far-reaching. ESPN’s announcement sparked an increase in web traffic, with the routine being viewed over 2.3 billion times across several platforms in less than 48 hours. Celebrities, sportsmen, and influencers from all around the world praised the team’s dedication and precision on social media.
West Virginia University President Gordon Gee issued a statement describing the squad’s victory as “a proud and defining moment in Mountaineer history,” adding that plans to honor the team with a campus celebration and a dedicated monument are already underway.
As the echoes of their win continue to reverberate, one thing is certain: West Virginia cheering has not only achieved history, but has pushed the sport to unprecedented heights.
The Mountaineers have reminded everyone that with heart, hard effort, and a little high-flying courage, anything is possible.