Minnesota dance team surprises in semifinals, one rookie reflects on journey to this moment

ORLANDO, Florida — Dozens of college dance teams from across the country are competing at the UDA College Dance Nationals in Orlando, Florida this weekend in what is being dubbed the “Super Bowl of dance.”

Eight Minnesota colleges compete, including the University of Minnesota.

A high-stakes environment like this can be emotional for all the dancers, but for one Gopher rookie, she couldn’t hold back tears after they performed Saturday as she thought about the journey it took her father to be here to cheer her on.

“He’s been so strong all year,” said freshman Emma Le, who is thinking about much more than the competition this weekend.

In addition, she reflects on what it took to reach this moment. One year ago Saturday, Le watched his future dance team perform at UDA nationals at a Minneapolis hospital with his family. Her father, Dat Le, was there fighting an acute form of leukemia.

Today, her outlook is much brighter.

“I am so grateful that he was in the stands. There was never a time when I would doubt that my father was in the audience and the fact that he is here today that I am succeeding in my biggest dream, means a lot,” Le said.

Dat Le is in remission now, and in high spirits at her daughter’s national competition.

“I’m just happy to support her and to see her dream come true and to be here for it is amazing … unbelievable,” said Dat Le.

The support in the ESPN Wide World of Sports arena for the Gophers is second to none. Now with Le’s father healthy, she can shake off her stress and just soak it all in.

“It felt so surreal, the crowd, the cheers … there’s nothing that can even compare to this,” Le said.

University of Minnesota Dance teams punched their ticket to the finals on Sunday in both jazz and pom.