ESPN REPORT: The Auburn Tigers Cheerleading Squad Crowned World’s Best. Fans Celebrate Historic Achievement
In a moment destined for the annals of collegiate sports history, the Auburn Tigers cheerleading squad stunned the world and brought pride roaring home to Alabama, clinching the title of World’s Best Cheerleading Team at the 2025 International Spirit Federation (ISF) Championship in Orlando. ESPN can confirm that the Tigers not only beat out powerhouse squads from Japan, Brazil, and Canada, but did so with a performance that redefined the limits of human synchronization, acrobatics, and heart.
Under the relentless Florida sun and with thousands in attendance, the orange and blue took the mat with fire in their eyes and Auburn legacy coursing through their veins. The crowd, a blend of anxious parents, former cheer legends, and curious sports fans, fell silent as the Tigers assembled at center stage. What followed was six minutes and thirty seconds of pure, electrifying perfection.
From the first note of their high-energy music mix, the squad executed mind-bending pyramid formations, flawless tumbling passes, and synchronized stunts that left jaws dropped and judges scribbling perfect scores. The highlight was a mid-routine triple-basket toss, where three flyers spun simultaneously under stadium lights before landing with laser precision—something never before attempted at this level of competition.
Led by co-captains Lena Moore, a senior kinesiology major known for her fearless aerials, and Jaxon Rivers, a former gymnast with a mind for choreography, the team’s routine wasn’t just athletic—it was a narrative. Interweaving Auburn traditions with innovative cheer choreography, they painted a story of resilience, unity, and Southern pride. Their final stunt formation—a towering human tiger’s eye encircled by a ripple wave of back handsprings—brought the crowd to its feet and tears to the eyes of alumni in the stands.
When the final scores were tallied, Auburn sat at the pinnacle with an unprecedented 99.87, edging out Tokyo Flame Spirit Academy and defending champions, the Toronto BlazeCats. ESPN analyst and former UCLA cheer captain Melissa Grant described the victory as “a masterpiece in motion,” declaring, “This wasn’t just a cheer routine—it was a cultural statement.”
Back on campus, Toomer’s Corner erupted in celebration. Students flooded the streets, rolling the oaks in white as chants of “War Eagle!” echoed into the night. The university president, Dr. Karla Simmons, announced that the entire squad would receive honorary recognition at Auburn’s spring commencement and a permanent exhibit in the university’s sports museum.
For head coach Tamika Eldridge, now in her 12th season, the win is more than just a trophy. “We’ve been building this for years,” she told ESPN, voice cracking with emotion. “To see these athletes perform with such courage, creativity, and cohesion—it’s the realization of a dream we’ve all dared to believe in.”
The Auburn Tigers have etched their legacy onto the world stage—not just as champions of cheer, but as ambassadors of excellence. The world watched. The world cheered. And the world now knows: greatness wears orange and blue.
