Five Local Teams Capture State Cheer Titles Amidst Wrestling, Basketball, and Soccer Action
Five local high school cheerleading teams from South Florida secured state championships at the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading State Championships in Lakeland this week, cementing the region’s dominance in the sport.
The victorious squads include West Broward, Western, Cardinal Gibbons, Downtown Doral, and St. Brendan. Western High School’s cheerleading program achieved a significant milestone by winning their third consecutive state title, placing first in the Class 2A Small Co-ed division. West Broward High School continued its legacy of excellence, claiming the Class 2A Extra Large Non-Tumbling title, marking the program’s seventh state championship (previously winning in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2022, and 2023).
In Class 1A, St. Brendan High School finished atop the Large Varsity division, a victory that earned the Sabres their 10th state championship in program history. Downtown Doral took first place in the Class 1A Large Non-Tumbling division, while Cardinal Gibbons captured the Class 1A Extra Large Non-Tumbling title, redeeming a second-place finish from the previous season.
Despite the celebrations, the event was not without challenges. Teams faced intense pressure to execute flawless routines in the high-stakes environment of the RP Funding Center, where even minor deductions could alter the standings. Doral Academy, for instance, finished as a runner-up in the Class 2A Medium Varsity division, highlighting the thin margins between first and second place. St. Thomas Aquinas also made headlines by qualifying for the state finals for the first time in their program’s four-year history, finishing fourth in the Small Co-ed division.
Beyond cheerleading, local athletes received significant honors in other winter sports. In wrestling, the Class 3A Dual Team State Championships saw strong performances from regional teams. While Aubrey Rogers High School took the top spot with 157.5 points, local powerhouse Boca Raton finished second with 155.5 points, and South Broward placed fourth. Individual wrestling standouts included Western’s Tiffany Francisco, who won the 100-pound title at the Bulldog Brawl, and North Miami’s Danetchy Janvier, who secured the 105-pound title.
On the basketball court, district playoff action is heating up. Belen Jesuit’s Alejandro Bird was noted for a standout performance, recording 12 points and 8 steals in a recent victory. Meanwhile, in soccer, Cardinal Gibbons senior Henry Copelin contributed two assists in a 3-0 win over Fort Lauderdale, as teams position themselves for the post-season district tournaments.
The success of these programs underscores the depth of athletic talent in the South Florida region across multiple disciplines, from the mat to the hardwood.
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