The Tundra was full of fans, athletes and spectators representing 71 different high school cheer teams. As Hagerty took the mat, the crowd roared with applause, buzzing with excitement. 

On Saturday, Jan. 19, the varsity cheer team took first place with a score of 84.9 in the Small Non-Tumbling division of the FHSAA Region 2 semi-finals hosted at Hagerty. After becoming the 2025 SAC champions the week before at Lake Mary with a score of 92, they automatically moved on to the state championship due to a rule, essentially making the semi-final score serve no purpose when advancing to the state championship. 

“After we hit our routine, I felt relieved. We’ve worked so hard this season and seeing it all come together is so exciting,” junior Ava Lee said.

The team have been preparing all season by doing full-outs (going through the entire routine) early on, many stunt reps, implementing consequences for mistakes, and practicing until there is nothing more to get wrong.

“After winter break at West Orange, [the team] just clicked, and it has been good ever since,” assistant coach Maddie Grigsby said. 

According to senior Lacee Ginga, the state championship has a different atmosphere than other competitions Hagerty has been in throughout the season, with the crowd being further away instead of near the mat. 

“You don’t hear the crowd as much so you have to rely on your teammates to bring energy on the mat and you can’t rely on the audience. You have to be loud at states because the judges are also far away so you have to project your voice to them,” Ginga said. 

Feeling confident after the victory at Regionals, Hagerty is competing at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL for the Class 2A State Championship on Feb. 1. 

“I think we have a good shot at winning states, and our win at regionals proved that we are capable of this accomplishment,” freshman Alex Droste said. 

The live broadcast can be found on the NFHS Network.