With thrashing guitars, soaring vocals and seductive dance moves, UF and Gainesville entertainers battled each other Thursday night in front of 800 spectators for the right to perform at Gator Growl.
More than 60 acts were narrowed down throughout the fall before 22 finalists competed at Gator Growl's Talent Night for three different spots: soloist, dance group and band/vocal group.
Brooke Helvie, a UF freshman, took first place in the soloist category for her performance of country hits "Crazy" and "Here for the Party" by Patsy Cline and Gretchen Wilson, respectively.
"Oh my gosh, it's the most amazing feeling ever," Helvie said with a broad smile as her sisters from Delta Gamma Sorority cheered raucously. "I can't believe I'm going to get to sing in front of that many people."
Musical group Unsigned Hype won the band/vocal group category for their performance, which featured several rappers, guitarists, trumpeters and a saxophonist.
In the dance group category, members of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority won with an acrobatic performance that featured skimpy Egyptian-themed costumes and music from the movie "Aladdin," as well as several pop songs.
The winners will perform at the 84th annual Gator Growl along with comedian Frank Caliendo and rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Gator Growl, billed as the world's largest student-run pep rally, will take place Nov. 2.
A group of eight UF students, professors and administrators judged the competition, and students were also able to vote for their favorite performances by dropping change into bags marked with the performers' names.
The results of the penny vote did not hold weight in the final decision, but proceeds went to St. Francis House, a local homeless shelter.
Aron Weingard, Gator Growl producer, said more than 800 spectators and performers filled the Reitz Union's Grand Ballroom during Talent Night, which was more than the room's capacity as well as the largest turnout ever at Talent Night.
Talent Night Director Aviah Crespin said the large turnout was due to the fact that it was the first time the event had been held for free and on campus, thanks to Taco Bell's sponsorship.
Crespin also said she was pleased with how the show ran and with the level of talent on display.
"We look forward to seeing the winners at Gator Growl," she said. "We know they're going to perform as good if not better with the adrenaline of performing in The Swamp."
