Thompson Middle School Dance and Cheer Teams Win National Titles

The TMS dance and cheer squads brought home top honors from the UDA Nationals competition in Orlando.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Thompson Middle School dance and cheer teams recently competed at the UDA Nationals competition in Orlando, Florida, with both squads earning national championship titles. The TMS dance team secured first place in the Junior High Kick division for the second year in a row, while the cheer team placed in the Top 10 in multiple divisions and earned third place in the new spirit program category that combined dance and cheer.

Why it matters

The victories by the TMS dance and cheer teams highlight the strength of the school's spirit programs and their ability to compete at the highest levels of middle school competition. The national titles also bring pride and recognition to the Alabaster community.

The details

At the UDA Nationals competition, the TMS dance team defended their Junior High Kick division title from the previous year, while the cheer team placed eighth in Small Junior High Game Day, fourth in Large Junior High Intermediate, and third in the new spirit program category that combined dance and cheer. This year's nationals also marked the first time the National Dance Team Championship and National High School Cheerleading Championship were combined into an overall National Spirit Champion award.

  • The TMS dance and cheer teams competed at the UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida from February 12-15, 2026.
  • The TMS dance team won the Junior High Kick division title for the second consecutive year.

The players

Audra Faust

Coach of the TMS Dance Team.

Thompson Middle School

A middle school located in Alabaster, Alabama that fields competitive dance and cheer teams.

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What they’re saying

“Our trip to the National School Spirit Championship far exceeded expectations. Our dancers have been working—and kicking—since April to defend last year's title, and they are thrilled to become back-to-back national champions.”

— Audra Faust, Coach of the TMS Dance Team

What’s next

The TMS dance and cheer teams will now focus on preparing for next year's national competition, where they will look to defend their titles and continue the school's strong tradition of spirit program success.

The takeaway

The national championship wins by the TMS dance and cheer teams demonstrate the dedication and talent of the student-athletes, as well as the strength of the school's spirit program. These titles bring pride to the Alabaster community and highlight the ability of middle school teams to compete at the highest levels of competition.