The Suncoast High School competitive cheerleading squad recently brought home its first Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championship.
The team competed against 15 schools in the FHSAA 1A large non-tumbling division and took the top score going into finals. Anchored by the leadership of eight seniors, the Chargers maintained the top spot to secure the win.
The squad’s coach, Kristy Strickland, is incredibly proud of her team. She and her team worked all season to overcome the setback of being in the last place position at the 2013 competitive championships, deciding that they would settle for nothing less than going from last to first in just one season.
“It’s really nice that we can finally prove to people our kids are so well-rounded,” Strickland said. “Not only are they winning championships, but they’re graduating with honors and IB diplomas. What the kids are able to accomplish, I just can’t fathom.”
ABOVE: Members of the Suncoast cheerleading squad.
