By: Lily Roth
The highly anticipated UDA Nationals did not disappoint. The Ohio State and Minnesota dance teams brought their A game, heightening the rivalry between the Wagner sisters and making for an unforgettable competition.
Ohio State vs. Minnesota in Previous Years
In the last few years, The Ohio State dance team has become the best in the country, placing first in UDA Division 1-A jazz, pom, and gameday multiple times within the last decade. Most notably, they went back-to-back jazz champions in 2024 and 2025. However, The University of Minnesota has not been shy of competition. In the past two years, they were runner-ups to Ohio State’s D1-A Jazz titles and winners of the pom category. These two teams are the best in the country, and their rivalry has caught the whole country’s attention.
The two schools have a history of competing in very different styles against each other. In 2024, Ohio State performed an artistic, passionate jazz routine to Frank Sinitra’s “My Way,” completely different from any dance they have ever done. Minnesota brought a challenging, intense jazz dance that year as they performed “Dream On” by Aerosmith. Both dances became famous on TikTok, and because of their differences, fans were split over who deserved to win.
Ellie and Ava Wagner
Leading up to the competition, there had been nonstop buzz around the two teams, wondering what dances they’d bring to the UDA mat. The rivalry received even more attention when fans realized two famous sisters were competing against each other. Ellie Wagner, 22, and Ava Wagner, 19, are sisters from Minnesota who have been dancing together their whole lives. The two went on the NBC dance competition show “World of Dance” and placed third in Season 3. After the show, Ellie got recruited by Ohio State and joined the dance team. A few years later, Ava was also recruited by Ohio State but chose to go to Minnesota, making the sisters rivals for the first time ever. 2025 was Ellie’s last season with Ohio State and Ava Wagner will be a Junior in the fall of 2025. After blowing up on TikTok, fans couldn’t get enough of the Wagner sisters. The discussion around UDA Nationals grew stronger, as a rivalry between two teams became personal.
2025 UDA Results
Ohio State, hoping to earn back-to-back championships, performed a dynamic jazz routine that was unique from other dances. Minnesota, hoping to reclaim its 2023 title, performed an emotional, powerful jazz routine with Ava as their featured dancer. The two routines could not be any different, making the competition challenging and enticing many fans. After a rocky semi-final performance, Ohio State ultimately came out on top, performing a flawless routine in the Division 1-A jazz finals. However, Minnesota took the title in the division 1-A pom category.