OXFORD, MS — May 22, 2025 — In a stunning and unprecedented achievement, the Ole Miss Rebels cheerleading squad has been crowned the World’s Best Cheer Team by ESPN following a record-breaking performance that captivated global audiences and redefined the boundaries of competitive cheerleading.
The announcement came during ESPN’s annual “World of Sports Excellence” broadcast, which highlights international standouts across various disciplines. The Ole Miss squad stood above hundreds of elite teams from around the world, including powerhouses from Japan, Brazil, South Korea, and traditional U.S. titans like Kentucky and Oklahoma State.
Their routine, performed at the 2025 ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando last month, combined elite stunting, flawless synchronization, and emotional storytelling in a way never before seen on the world stage. Judges and fans alike were left in awe, awarding the Rebels the highest combined technical and artistic score in the competition’s history.
“The moment they took the mat, it felt like we were witnessing a cultural shift in the sport,” said ESPN commentator Taylor Rowe. “They didn’t just perform. They transcended.”
The performance, which quickly went viral on social media platforms, featured an innovative blend of acrobatics, tumbling, dance, and digital projection effects synchronized with the music—a first for any collegiate team at the world level. The squad’s theme, titled “Breaking Gravity”, was a tribute to resilience, empowerment, and team unity.
“We wanted to tell a story about pushing beyond limits, both physically and mentally,” said head coach Savannah McCaskill, who took over the program in 2021. “These athletes trained for over a year to perfect something that’s never been done before.”
Their training regimen reportedly included 6 a.m. conditioning sessions, seven-day choreography camps, and joint work with gymnastics and Cirque du Soleil consultants to safely execute high-risk elements. The team even consulted sports psychologists to help prepare for the pressure of international competition.
The final routine featured multiple synchronized basket tosses with triple twists, a pyramid sequence that reached an unprecedented three-tier structure, and a full team tumbling pass involving 20 simultaneous layouts—a feat rarely attempted, let alone executed flawlessly.
“It was like watching art, gymnastics, and engineering all rolled into one,” said ICU judge Maria Gonzalez. “They didn’t just raise the bar. They launched it into the stratosphere.”
The ESPN award marks a watershed moment for Ole Miss athletics, a school historically known for football and baseball excellence. The cheerleading squad’s triumph brings newfound attention to a sport often seen in the background of larger athletic events but now firmly in the spotlight.
University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce praised the team’s accomplishment, calling it “a moment of institutional pride that redefines what’s possible for student-athletes at our university.”
In Oxford, the celebration was instant. A campus-wide event featuring a parade, fireworks, and a performance replay on the jumbotron at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium drew thousands of students, alumni, and local residents. The squad was also honored with a resolution from the Mississippi State Legislature recognizing their “contribution to athletic excellence and cultural representation.”
Social media platforms erupted with praise. On TikTok alone, clips of the routine have amassed over 48 million views, with fans and celebrities alike reposting the performance and commending the athletes. Pop star Billie Eilish reposted a segment on her Instagram story, calling it “absolutely legendary.”
With their world title secured, the Ole Miss squad has now received invitations to perform at several international events, including the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics Opening Ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, and an exhibition in Paris with France’s national acrobatic team.
Coach McCaskill, who hinted at returning next year with “something even bolder,” said the program’s goal now is to build a legacy. “We want Ole Miss to be synonymous with elite cheerleading, not just in the U.S., but globally.”
