Freedom captures first regional crown in competitive cheerleading

Posted Jan 22, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 22, 2012 at 05:50 PM

Coming on the heels of its first-ever victory at the Western Conference Championships, Freedom’s cheerleading squad captured their first regional crown Saturday by winning the Large Varsity division at the meet staged in Plant City.

Coach Linda Martinez said the Patriots’ success this season has been due in great part to the fact that a good portion of her squad has been together four years and are reaping the rewards of training together for such a long period of time.

Eight of Freedom’s 20 cheerleaders—Nicole Seybold, Shelby Carr, Sara Blaylock, Amanda Chaplin, Kelsey Storelin, Maddie Bisaccia, Evan Erickson and Samantha Gutman—have competed for Martinez since they were freshmen. They have gone from not making the finals of Western Conference to wining the 27-team meet, winning all four regionals within the conference and, Saturday, capturing a regional crown.

A panel of judges scored the teams’ routines that featured dancing, tumbling, stunts and cheers.

“They have come so far together,” Martinez said. “They’re a very cohesive, strong bunch of kids individually but also a great team together with lots of heart.”

The 2012 FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships will be held Feb. 2-4 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.