Dance team takes third at championships

The UIC Dance team won third place in Division I Hip Hop at the 2014 NDA & NCA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships.

The UIC Dance team captured the third-place trophy in the Division I Hip Hop portion of the 2014 NDA & NCA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships April 12, in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Flames have placed sixth or higher for three consecutive years, earning fourth place in 2012 and sixth last season.

Nearly 7,000 competitors from 35 states participated in the five-day event, making it the largest cheer and dance competition in the world.

The UIC Dance Team performs at all men’s basketball games as well as some soccer and women’s basketball games and can be seen at various campus and community events.

“This year’s team has the best work ethic and motivation I’ve seen in my four years as head coach,” head dance coach Lindsey Lococo said. “Most members would arrive to practice 30 to 45 minutes early to prepare for the day’s practice in addition to holding their own practice sessions at the rec center on our off days.

“I’m proud of our success this year, but we know that every year is a new competition and a new challenge, this motivates us to continue to strive for excellence.”

The Flames won their first national title in the mid-1990s.  Since then, UIC has placed in the Top 10 in at least one category in almost every national competition.

The UIC Dance team will hold open auditions from 5 to 9 p.m. May 16 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 in the Physical Education Building dance studio. For more information, e-mail uicdance@gmail.com

“We will have a strong team ready to compete in 2015,” Lococo said.

“While we are grateful for the opportunity to compete locally and nationally, our priority is always to support the athletic teams at UIC and further our presence as ambassadors for the Flames.”