TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Cheerleading Squads Riding High Hopes

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

VALRICO - Last year, it was the excitement of the unknown. They were unknown; everyone was.

After one competition, though, everyone got to know Bloomingdale High. The Bulls placed first in the Large Varsity division at the inaugural FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships.

Bloomingdale will try to defend its title today and Saturday in Tallahassee. And unlike last year, the Bulls' expectations are better defined.

"There's a lot more pressure on us now," senior captain Caitlin Thomas said. "Our school is rooting for us to do the same thing we did last year."

Land O' Lakes is in a similar position. The Gators won the Small Varsity Co-Ed division last year.

"I think all of our expectations are high," Land O' Lakes coach Celisa Cook said. "The difference this year is, I think, we're a far better squad talent-wise than we were last year. I think our routine is much more difficult than it was last year, but we also know that we have some stiff competition. And the competition are teams that didn't go last year and we've done some research. I kind of sometimes feel like I'm watching football film, evaluating what's out there.

"There are some really good squads out there, but I think that's been part of our motivation, too."

Land O'Lakes has a couple of wins under its belt this season. In January, the squad was named Grand Champion at the State Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona. Last month, it placed first in a competition at the Florida State Fair.

Plant City heads into this weekend's competition with a recent win at the Western Conference championship to boost its confidence. The Raiders, who will be competing in the Non-Tumbling division, bested 23 other squads from Hillsborough County.

Newsome, which will be competing with Bloomingdale in the Large Varsity division, finished second at the event. Durant and Sickles, also competing in the Large Varsity division, tied for third.

Durant finished fourth in last year's state championships. Newsome was fifth and Sickles seventh. Plant City finished seventh in its division.

Now that the newness of the state competition has worn off, teams are better prepared for this year's event.

"This year was far easier because we know what's expected of us now," Cook said. "We've been there, we've been able to see, we know what the judges' criteria is and what they're looking for. I feel like we're better prepared as far as our routine goes and also mentally. I think we just know what to expect this year."

With a greater knowledge of the competition, Bloomingdale began perfecting a routine since the middle of the football season. But unlike other counties, Hillsborough teams are not allowed to hire choreographers to formulate a routine. Instead, Bloomingdale put the piece together themselves.

"We pride ourselves on that," Bulls coach Tracy DiPrima said.

Bloomingdale's routine is packed with action. It opens with a dance and transitions into a series of tumbling that includes back tucks and full twists.

And of course, there is cheering.

"Bloomingdale High School - the team you should fear," the girls scream in unison.

"This routine is our baby," senior captain Jessi Briggs said. "We created it out of nothing and it makes us so proud to perform it."

Reporter Eddie Daniels

contributed to this report.

Reporter Katherine Smith can

be reached at (813) 259-7860.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT