#1 in the World, #1 in Our Hearts: Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleaders Crowned Global Champions by ESPN After 2025 Performance

The Alabama Crimson Tide are no strangers to being the best. But this time, it wasn’t on the gridiron or hardwood—it was on the mat, in front of thousands, under the bright lights of the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship. And they didn’t just win. They dominated. With ESPN calling it “a once-in-a-generation performance,” the Tide Cheerleading Squad was officially crowned the No. 1 cheer team on the planet.

For the squad, it was more than just a trophy—it was the culmination of months of sweat, sacrifice, and an undying belief in the power of precision, spirit, and Crimson pride.

Held in Orlando, Florida, the International Cheer and Dance Championship featured over 40 elite squads from five continents, each representing the best of their nation. Alabama wasn’t just carrying the banner of the SEC or even the United States—it was bearing the pressure and expectation of a legacy.

“We came in knowing the weight of the ‘A’ on our chests,” said senior co-captain Lily Cartwright, eyes glistening in the post-victory glow. “But instead of letting that pressure break us, we used it to lift each other.”

Lift, tumble, flip, soar—words don’t do justice to what Alabama brought to the floor.

Their final performance? A perfectly synchronized 2-minute, 30-second routine packed with death-defying basket tosses, crisp pyramids, and transitions that seemed to defy gravity. Every move was executed with such polish that ESPN’s broadcast team repeatedly used the phrase “flawless,” not once, not twice, but five times during the segment.

But as much as it was a display of athleticism, it was also art. Their choreography blended high-energy stunts with moments of silence and stillness so powerful, the crowd seemed to hold its collective breath. One such moment—a mid-air pose captured in perfect symmetry—has already gone viral across social media, with fans dubbing it the “Crimson Freeze.”

According to the championship judges, Alabama scored a record-breaking 98.7 out of 100, the highest ever recorded at the international level. And it wasn’t just their technical score that turned heads. Their showmanship, crowd engagement, and unity were simply unmatched.

“This wasn’t just a win for the program,” said Head Coach and former Alabama cheer captain Jamie Hensley. “This was a win for everyone who’s ever worn the uniform, who’s ever fought through two-a-days, who’s ever flipped on that hardwood knowing the whole arena’s watching.”

And Hensley would know. After taking over as head coach five years ago, she made it her mission to elevate Alabama Cheerleading into not just a collegiate powerhouse, but an international brand of excellence. That mission, many believe, has now been accomplished.

But the road to the top wasn’t easy. The squad faced adversity throughout the 2024–2025 season, including a mid-year injury to all-state tumbler Ava Benton and a viral flu outbreak in February that sidelined six team members just weeks before the championship.

“The doubts crept in, sure,” admitted Cartwright. “But we leaned on each other. That’s the Alabama way. When one of us falls, ten others lift.”

That unity was clear not only in the routine, but in the moments that followed. As the results were announced and Alabama’s name rang out across the arena, the entire squad collapsed into a sea of tears, hugs, and joyous disbelief. Even rival squads joined in the standing ovation.

“You don’t have to be a Tide fan to respect what we just witnessed,” tweeted LSU’s cheer captain Brielle Simmons moments after the ceremony. “That was history.”

Back in Tuscaloosa, the celebration began almost immediately. Students poured out of classes, the school’s social media platforms lit up with congratulatory posts, and the Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium saw fans laying down crimson-and-white flowers with hand-written notes.

One sign read: “They flipped higher than our football rankings. Legends.”

Another simply said: “#1 in the World. #1 in Our Hearts.”

University President Dr. Stuart Bell issued a formal proclamation declaring July 25, 2025, “Crimson Tide Cheer Day” across campus.

“This title speaks volumes about the dedication of our student-athletes and the leadership of Coach Hensley,” Bell stated. “They have represented the University of Alabama on a global stage with pride, passion, and perfection.”

And the recognition didn’t stop there. ESPN ran a special feature, dubbing the performance “The Tide Turned Gold,” complete with behind-the-scenes footage, athlete interviews, and expert analysis breaking down every frame of the championship-winning routine.

In the segment, renowned cheer analyst Kelly Marsh called it “the most dynamic, technically sound, emotionally charged cheer performance ever captured on television.”

Marsh added: “They weren’t just performing. They were telling a story—and the world listened.”

For the athletes, it was a dream fulfilled—and a moment many said they’ll carry for life.

“I’ve dreamed of this since middle school,” said junior flyer Taylor Mendez, still clutching her medal. “To stand on that stage, hear our name, and know we made history? Nothing compares.”

Indeed, the impact of the victory is already being felt far beyond the mat. Applications for Alabama’s 2026 cheer tryouts have doubled in just 48 hours, according to the athletic department. Recruits from as far as Canada, Brazil, and South Korea have reached out, expressing interest in joining what’s now widely considered the world’s best cheer program.

And while the program basks in the glory, the leaders aren’t sitting still.

“We’ll celebrate,” Hensley said. “But then we go back to work. Greatness isn’t a one-time thing. It’s who we are.”

Back home, in the cheer gym nicknamed “The Den,” the squad will soon begin prepping for fall football season, where they’ll perform on the sidelines of Bryant-Denny—only now, with a global title to their name.

“We’re not just cheering for a team anymore,” said Cartwright. “We’re cheering for a legacy.”

And what a legacy it is. From Tuscaloosa to the world stage, the Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad has proven they are champions in every sense. Through grit, grace, and guts, they’ve secured their place in history—not just as the best in 2025, but as a benchmark for excellence in cheer forevermore.

So whether it’s on ESPN, in viral highlight reels, or echoing in the halls of Coleman Coliseum, one truth now rings louder than ever:

#1 in the World. #1 in Our Hearts. Roll Tide Forever.