Sebring High cheerleaders headed to nationals

The Sebring High School cheerleading team has aced its division since cheerleading became a varsity sport in Florida three years ago.

Saturday, they'll find out if the third time's the charm as they toss and tumble their way through the national championships at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Whether they win or not, it's been a triumphant ride this year for the 25-student team that notched its third consecutive win in the large co-ed division at the Florida High School Athletic Association state contest.

'I'm so proud of the kids," said head cheerleading coach Carolyn Shoemaker.

The cheerleaders competed against eight other schools at state. Saturday, they will vie for the top spot against 17 other teams across the nation.

Junior Savannah Hancock went through the routine last year and is admittedly a little nervous about Saturday.

Her hope: Sebring High breaks out of the ninth-place jinx they've been in for the last three years.

"At least number eight (will do,)" she quipped.

Joining her will be fellow junior Colleby Slade, one of eight boys cheerleading for the school.

Slade said what got him into the sport were the back flips his friends could muster.

The presence of boys like Slade and the growing popularity of the sport has made competitive cheerleading more demanding.

"It's become more athletic," said Shoemaker. "The tumbling has been bumped up."

The public might see cheerleaders like Sebring High's during the school's football and basketball games but there's a lot of work that goes into practicing and perfecting routines that people don't know about.

The team practices at least four times a week, sometimes Saturday mornings, and immediately after a new school year starts.

"It's a lot of work," Slade said. "But it's a lot of fun."

Friday, the team will have a send-off of sorts at Sebring's Cowboys restaurant, and then it's off to Orlando Saturday.

On Sunday, they may have a trophy to hold and cherish.

Even if they don't, they'll have one perk - fun at Disneyworld.