On Feb. 5, the Matanzas High School competitive cheer squad took 3rd place in Florida at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee as they competed in the 4th Florida High School Athletic Association‘s competitive cheerleading state series. They’d qualifying earlier through regional competition as one of 68 schools from Region 2 and one of 249 schools overall. The MHS competed in the small, non-tumbling division. The team is coached by Kellie Doucette, a member of the school’s Language Arts Department.
The team heads to Orlando this weekend for competition in ESPN’s Wide World of Sports national championship. It’ll be up against 17 teams, starting at noon on Sunday. With the team’s strong state results behind it, confidence should be a booster this weekend.
Go Cheer Them Onn:
- Saturday’s (Feb. 12) Rehearsal Schedule at Wide World of Sports
- Sunday’s Championship Schedule at Wide World of Sports
The team has participated in the state competition every year since its inauguration in 2008. The MHS cheerleaders continue to improve their standings in the state each year. In 2008 they started out ranked 21st. After the past weekend’s competition, they ranked 3rd in their division in the state, out of 21 teams competing in the division. This is the second time in the FHSAA state series history that MHS has placed in the top 3. The first time was in the 2009 contest.
The Pirates start their competitive season in August when they assemble their competition team. The competition team is made up of members of the existing Varsity and Junior Varsity teams who wish to try out. Those selected for the competition team attend a stunt clinic in October where they learn elite stunts and are taught the technique they will need for award winning performances. This year’s competition team included 15 participants and two alternates.
During football season the competition team practices once a week and on selected Saturdays. The team competes at a Universal Cheerleader Association regional competition in December in order to qualify for the national contest and at an FHSAA regional qualifier in order to be eligible for the state contest; both state and national contests are held in February. After overcoming many obstacles, the squad was able to come together and turn out a performance strong enough to place it third in the state.
Currently, the Matanzas Pirates are ranked 2nd in the nation as they head to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando to defend their rank.
ilene Vitale says
Our Girls have worked so hard to get where they are, My daughter is Brianna Vitale (the Captain) she is a senior at Matanzas high. she was captain of the J.V. squad her freshman year and then has been on the varsity team since. this year she is the captain. she has been cheering for the last 15 years. so after this weekend she will be finished with cheering. i guess you can say this is going to be a very emotinal weekend for her and my husband and myself.. this is her last time going to nationals. i want to wish her and all the girls on the squad the BEST OF LUCK Sunday. you girls rock!!!. to the coaches congratulations and best of luck sunday.
ilene Vitale says
GOOD LUCK AT NATIONALS TO ALL THE GIRLS ON THE MATANZAS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERING TEAM. YOU GIRLS WILL ROCK THE HOUSE !!!!!! YOU ARE ALREADY FLAGLER COUNTY WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!
billy says
The FPC cheerleaders were at the same competition as they were just a different division and they also won 3rd in the state ! so congratulations to both schools for getting 3rd in the state.