The Western Wildcats won the 2A Small Co-Ed Finals with 81.40 points at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland late Thursday for the school’s third straight state title.
Western won by more than six points, one of the more lopsided finishes at the state competition this year. They were undefeated in all six competitions this season, including winning the BCAA and the Region 4 competitions earlier.
“We have put the time, the work, and a very good work ethic into this program,” said Wildcats coach Carrie Norton by phone. “I feel blessed. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful group of girls.”
“It means everything,” Norton added. “We worked really hard for many years, and we have built a dynasty.”
Western senior and two-year captain Myla Friend, one of five cheerleaders who have been on the team for the past four years, agreed with the hard-work reference.
“This is the most surreal feeling,” said Friend, whose team finished fourth in her freshman year. “I feel like we put in so much hard work, and we do trips to camps, and all these different things. I feel so accomplished. There’s nothing like it. We thought we could win again, but there were some really good teams, and we were nervous. We nailed it.”
Said senior Jaoeah McDougle, also a two-year captain and four-year team member: “Winning the last three years is amazing to me. I feel like every year has had different challenges and obstacles. This year, we just had to be consistent with our routine.
“I feel like being an actual team, encouraging each other, and having great coaches is very important, and that’s the Western Way. We were so locked in to win it this year.”
West Broward won its seventh state cheerleading championship at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Thursday night. The Bobcats won the Class 2A Medium Non-Tumbling Division at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. (Photo courtesy/West Broward Athletics)
Culbertson, Bobcats capture 7th state championship
West Broward also brought home gold in winning the seventh state title in school history, and first since 2023. The Bobcats struck gold as they won the 2A Medium Non-Tumbling Division.
The Bobcats, who won the 2024 UCA National and World Championships, recorded 90.20 points to win the 2A Extra Large Non-Tumbling title on Thursday night. Wellington (85.70) was third in the same division.
“This win hits different. After everything this program has been through, this championship feels especially meaningful,” said West Broward coach Danielle Culbertson by phone. She’s been a part of all seven titles, winning the first three as an athlete and the last four championships as coach.
“This group of athletes worked harder than ever, trusted the process, and believed in their coaches and each other every step of the way,” she continued. “This team was able to put out a beautiful hit on the state mat, not just for themselves, but for each other and everyone who came before them. This title represents a legacy that continues to grow as we bring home our ‘lucky number 7’ state title.”
Senior Bobcats cheerleader Nylah Harper is one of three captains on the squad and said hearing West Broward announced as the winner was an incredible feeling and a fitting end to her senior year.
“After everything that happened in 2024, this meant more to me than I can put into words,” Harper said. According to Harper, due to a technical issue at that state meet, their music didn’t play, and they weren’t allowed a re-performance after they walked off the mat.
“(Winning) allowed me to step off the States mat on a high note and end my senior year in the best way possible,” she said. “It was an incredible feeling and made every hard practice, long hour at school, and all the dedication truly worth it. While it may sound cliché, it really was the result of blood, sweat, and tears. I wouldn’t have wanted to experience this moment with any other program, my coaches, or the 26 amazing girls beside me. The energy on the mat reflected the countless hours of preparation behind it.”
Olympic Heights finished second in the Medium Non-Tumbling Finals at the Class 2A state cheerleading championship at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy/Olympic Heights Athletics)
Olympic Heights takes second in 2A
Defending 2A state champion Olympic Heights was second in the 2A Medium Non-Tumbling Finals with 85.20 points. The Lions won the Large Non-Tumbling Division title last year.
“This team showed up with heart, resilience, and belief in each other every single step of the way,” said Olympic Heights coach Nicki Spears by phone. “We are so proud of the work, the growth, the sacrifices, and the love poured into this season. We hold our heads high.”
Olympic Heights, which had finished in fifth place in both 2023 and 2024, won the school’s first state championship in the sport last season.
Emma Knight, an Olympic Heights senior and four-year member of the cheerleading squad, called it a “rewarding experience.”
“Competing at states is such an incredible opportunity; performing and seeing our hard work pay off feels surreal,” Knight said. “This journey has reminded me that with teamwork and perseverance, anything is possible.”
Seminole Ridge finished third in the 2A Large Co-Ed Finals with 73.90 points. Seminole Ridge coach Tamara Licavoli said she’s proud of the team’s performance, especially with a music mishap and a fall by one of their cheerleaders in the first stunt.
“We have so many athletes who are cheering for the first time this year,” Licavoli said by phone. “We are going toe to toe with two of the most reputable teams in the state and country.
“We did not hit our best routine; however, it was still an amazing performance,” she continued. “They persevered and completed the routine. All of us coaches are extremely proud of our resilience and determination in finishing so strongly.”
Cooper City overcame a last-minute cheerleader change less than 24 hours before the competition to finish third in the Class 2A Small Varsity Finals at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy/Cooper City Athletics)
Cooper City overcame a last-minute cheerleader change less than 24 hours before the competition to finish third in the 2A Small Varsity Finals with 86.60 points, just 1.50 points behind the winner Windermere (88.10). Tate (Cantonment ) was second (87.60). It was their best finish at state since taking runner-up in 2021.
“This team has struggled through adversity, including several coaches over the last few years,” said second-year Cowboys coach Marissa Hanan. “We had a cheerleader with an injury who was in too much pain to perform, so we had to put in an alternate and re-work our routine in a parking lot. I am so proud of how they pulled through.
“The top two teams have won multiple state championships, and we are so proud to even be in the same conversation,” added Hanan, who said the Cowboys became the first team in school history to win back-to-back regional championships and advance straight to the state finals. “No one in this group has ever performed in finals, and not only did they perform, but they also hit ZERO (deductions) with our highest score in years. The love within this group is big, and we will forever treasure what we have all built together.”
Boca Raton cheerleading coach Lisa Ashley returned after a 20-year absence to lead the Bobcats to a fourth-place finish with 78.80 points in the Medium Non-Tumbling Division. They also finished second at the regional competition out of 17 teams.
“Finishing in the top four of a highly competitive division is an incredible achievement for the Bobcat competition cheer team,” Ashley said by phone. “This season has set a high standard for this program, and we could not be prouder of these dedicated and talented athletes.”
After coaching competitive cheerleading in North Florida, her family relocated to Boca Raton, and she got the job last March.
Other teams that competed in the 2A finals included: St. Thomas Aquinas (fourth, Small Co-Ed Finals, with a score of 70.80); Dillard (fourth, Large Non-Tumbling Finals; 81.40); Jupiter (fifth, Medium Varsity finals; 79.90); Stoneman Douglas (sixth, Small Non-Tumbling; 76); and Palm Beach Central (eighth, Game Day finals; 82.60).
Cardinal Gibbons won its first state cheerleading championship since 2009 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Friday night. The Chiefs won the Class 1A Extra Large Non-Tumbling Division title at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. (Photo courtesy/Cardinal Gibbons Athletics)
Cardinal Gibbons, Somerset Canyons go 1-2 in Class 1A cheer competition
Cardinal Gibbons won its first state cheerleading championship since 2009 on Friday night as it narrowly edged Somerset Canyons by .40 of a point to take the 1A Extra Large Non-Tumbling Division title. Cardinal Gibbons (81.50) topped the Cougars (81.10) to win.
Cardinal Gibbons coach Julie St. Thomas said the team, which finished second in the state last year and went on to win a national title in just their second season after rebooting the program, overcame many obstacles this year in winning the championship, including two season-ending injuries that forced the routine to be reworked.
“Winning the state championship proves that none of our effort was in vain,” St. Thomas said by phone. “The countless hours, injuries, doubts, and the pressure of following up an already successful season pushed us to rise even higher. As a coach, there is nothing more meaningful than seeing these girls earn what they worked so hard for.”
Sophomore Morgan Moyano said winning a state title meant a lot because of the teammates she won with.
“The sisterhood our team built throughout the season is unlike anything I have ever experienced,” she said. “All the hard work, long practices, and obstacles we faced made this moment even more meaningful…When our name was finally announced, it was a feeling I will never forget, and I am forever grateful for this experience.”
Cardinal Gibbons senior Gianna Cammarata said the state title was a reward for the countless hours they invested.
“The journey wasn’t easy,” Cammarata said. “It was filled with early mornings, late nights, and constant determination, but every step brought us closer to our goal…When it finally happened, it was overwhelming in the best way possible because it proved that all the effort, resilience, and teamwork truly paid off.”
King’s Academy took second in the state with a score of 79.40 to finish behind the winner, Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek (81.80), in the 1A Extra Large Varsity finals.
King’s Academy second-year head coach Christina Reickel, in her 12th year coaching at the school, said the Lions entered the state finals as regional champions.
“Their performance today was a product of their hard work and determination,” Reickel said by phone. “They were prepared and confident in the routine they performed, and that brings a contagious spirit that makes them fun to watch. They have pushed through injuries and routine changes, but their faith has carried them to the top.”
Calvary Christian Academy (76.50) was fourth in the 1A Large Non-Tumbling finals, while Archbishop McCarthy (75.20) was sixth in the 1A Medium Non-Tumbling finals.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/01/24/western-wins-third-straight-cheerleading-state-title/
