Ole Miss Cheerleaders, Rebelettes to Take Main Stage at National Competition

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Video by Talbert Toole

The Ole Miss cheerleaders and dance team, also known as the Rebelettes, flew to Orlando, Florida Thursday morning in hopes of bringing home a national title from the UCA and UDA competitions. 

Ryan O’Connor, cheer coach, and Rachel Levetzow, Rebellette coordinator, both said their respective teams have been practicing two-a-days since finals.

O’Connor said the most challenging feat the team has endured is the lack of experience competing on the national level. However, she believes the team has the ability to hit the routine with precision.

Levetzow said the Rebelettes faced the same issue. Yet she said winning wasn’t the main objective of this year’s competition.

“I just want to put our name back on the map,” Levetzow said. “I want to turn heads and for people to say, ‘Oh, that’s Ole Miss.'”

All three teams joined forces Wednesday night in front of a crowd full of friends, family members and Ole Miss fans. The cheerleading teams, co-ed and all girl, both performed their “Game Day” routine—the typical performance fans watch during football games—and their competition routine.

The Rebelettes executed both their pom and jazz dance routines. Levetzow said this year’s dances are completely different than previous years. The pom routine, which is set to the music of RuPaul’s “Covergirl,” brings an upbeat rhythm to the dance floor. Levetzow said the jazz number is edgy and out-of-the-box, breaking the boundaries of typical jazz routines which usually encompass lyrical dance motions.

All three teams are set to begin their performances Friday afternoon and hope to continue the competition into the final round on Sunday, Jan. 20.

For more information on the UCA and UDA competition, visit the Varsity website. For performance times of all three Ole Miss teams, visit the schedule here.