Homecoming week kicked off with a bang as six teams took the stage for the 2017 Homecoming Dance Competition. Alumni Hall pulsed with energy as an adoring crowd watched some favorite campus dance teams give their best.

First to the stage was Urban Dance Troupe. The hip-hop performance was backed by a mix of popular rap artists and spoken word performance that emphasized Penn State pride.

Next up was one of Penn State’s tap groups, Tapestry, which rocked the stage with a mix of Ray Charles’ song “I Got a Woman,” and the more popular remix by Kanye, “Gold Digger,” circa 2005.

Penn State Lyrical Line Dance company took the stage next. Fluid steps and coordinated pirouettes were matched perfectly with a pop track that got the audience engaged.

Ambitions Performance Company rocked the competition with their mix of styles including hip-hop, jazz, and lyrical. A part of their performance, which was danced to a Beaver Stadium favorite, “Circle of Life Remix,” had the crowd roaring.

The next group up, Whiplash Dance Team, received a warm welcome to the stage, an obvious favorite. Their fierce hip-hop performance blasted energy through Alumni hall.

Reve wrapped up the night with a lyrical dance centered around the theme “We Are.” Their piece was performed to a song that was overlaid with some of Penn Staters’ fondest memories, including beating OSU last year.

At the end of the night, a number of awards were given out. Best Choreography went to Urban Dance Troupe, and Ambitions walked away with Most ‘For The Glory.’ The overall winner of the 2017 Homecoming Dance Competition was Whiplash with their striking hip-hop number.