Last spring, while still in the eighth grade, our granddaughter in Southern California decided to participate in cheerleader tryouts at the high school she would attend in the fall. With over 4000 students enrolled, Abby and her parents knew the competition would be challenging. Still, Abby had participated in theater and dance for several years, and her parents were delighted that she felt confident enough to try out. After tryouts, Abby made the Junior Varsity team as a freshman…but there’s more to the story.
In previous years, Redondo Union had never fielded a competitive cheerleading squad. This year, an experienced coach became available, and the school hired her and her daughter, Isabel Cruze, to organize and train a select group of young ladies for cheerleading competitions. Team members would come from both varsity and junior varsity squads. Abby made that team as well.
In the fall, and after several weeks of practice, Coach Hedspeth (lovingly referred to as Coach “H”) felt strongly that her newly formed team had the talent and ability to compete in qualifying tournaments leading up to the National Cheerleading Championships held in late winter at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her guiding mantra was, “Why Not Us?!?” So began the rigorous training process, competing in regional events and winning the Regional Championship in their category (Large Group, non-tumbling). They were on their way to Disney World.
Helen and I had an RV trip to Florida booked and paid for when we got the news. We both said, “We ain’t missin’ that!” and rearranged the entire trip to attend the competition. Fortunately, a campsite was available in Kissimmee, Florida, about 10 miles from the entrance to Disney World. Justin, our son, and Abby’s Dad, would accompany Abby to Florida and stay at a nearby hotel. Adding more good news, our younger son, Collin, frequently works in Orlando at his company’s home office and would join us. Helen and I would have our boys to spend time with for four days. We were ecstatic!
Before leaving Southern California, Coach H informed the families that the team would always be with her. There was no time for dining out with family, sightseeing, or other pauses in the practice schedule. These girls were her girls, and she was responsible for their safety and well-being and, most of all, their focus. Everyone agreed the approach was both reasonable and understandable.
Redondo Union had practice scheduled for Friday morning around 11:00 am. Collin and Justin picked us up at the campground in plenty of time for the drive to the practice areas. I don’t know what I expected before we arrived, but I was blown away by what I saw when we walked into the practice field. Thousands of girls were dancing, jumping, and waving pom-poms while yelling at the top of their lungs. It was an abundance of cuteness and athleticism wrapped in a huge package, held together by a million miles of hair ribbon. We found Redondo Union and scampered to a balcony for a better view. We watched them practice for about twenty minutes. They looked very disciplined and focused. At the end of practice, a coach from another California school with experience in the competition came over to give the girls a pep talk before they walked away. Abby spotted us and gave us a wave and a smile. Round one began for Redondo Union around 7:30 that evening.
Collin took us on a tour of his Orlando office to settle our nerves. Meeting some of his co-workers and the folks he speaks of often was a treat. After the tour, Collin drove us to Kappy’s Deli, where I devoured the best Philly Cheesesteak I ever had.
Back at Disney World, teams entered the Arena to begin the competition. On our way in, Helen ran into the team from nearby Maryville, Tennessee, and chatted with a cheerleader who is the friend of a very close friend. Altogether, over 1000 teams and over 24,000 athletes participated in the event in various categories, twenty-seven in the category with Redondo Union. Each team had four minutes to show their skills. We watched several teams perform before Redondo Union’s turn. They all appeared skilled and experienced. I don’t know how teams are judged; I do know that machine-like precision and over-the-top enthusiasm count for a lot. Our girls came out strong and performed as well as or better than most during their routine. Near the end, however, one girl experienced a very slight stumble near the end of the performance. No one knew how it would affect the judging, but in a competition this tight, it gave everyone a jolt of anxiety.
We would not know the results until around 10:00 that night, so Helen and I decided to let Justin call us with the news as soon as announced. On the way out, we ran into Abby, hugged her, and told her we couldn’t be prouder no matter the results. The call came late. Redondo Union made the semifinals, scheduled for 10:00 am Sunday. Helen and I decided we needed new outfits in Redondo Red. We scrambled and found something very fitting.
On Saturday, my sister and brother-in-law drove to Orlando to spend time with Justin and Collin. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Bartaco. It was great to see them.
Twelve of the twenty-seven teams made the semifinals in the large group category. Eight would move on to the finals. Redondo Union came onto the floor and gave an exceptional performance…as did about seven other teams. Once the round ended, the teams moved to the baseball stadium to await the results. As they walked from the Arena, Coach H approached the parents to let everyone know that Redondo had no deductions for their performance. After some light entertainment and a pretty good Chicken Tender basket for lunch, an announcer walked to the stage as everyone held their breath. The fourth team announced was Redondo Union High School. Exuberance reigned! The Seahawks were flying high.
Back in the Arena, seats near the front were hard to find. Competition organizers combined two categories in the same period for the finals, and sixteen teams took the floor for four minutes each. Redondo Union competed near the end. As each team completed their cheers, parents moved out, and Collin led Helen, Justin, and me closer to the floor. I didn’t want to distract Abby, so I turned my camera off. Redondo Union gave a splendid performance. They entered the Arena with every ounce of energy left in their well-trained bodies and began performing in perfect unison with pom-poms held high. In the end, we could feel the relief all the way to the fifth row.
Ten minutes after the final performance, every team in the two categories marched onto the floor, one at a time, and snuggled tightly together to await the results. Two officials walked out to let the other category know which team would take home a trophy. I was so nervous I didn’t hear a word of anything said.
“Now for the results in the Large Group, non-tumbling category,” the female announcer shouted into the microphone. No one took a breath.
“In eighth place, from Texas, is McAllen High School.”
“In seventh place, from Texas, is McAllen Memorial High School.”
“In sixth place, from Alabama, is Auburn High School.”
As the announcer read through the list of teams, tears fell, poms dropped, and groans emerged from the crowd; suddenly, three teams remained, which meant no less than a Bronze Medal and something to show for a lot of hard work. Third place went to Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Second place fell to a team from Maple Grove, Minnesota (they were excellent). I was about to pass out.
“And the 2024 National High School Cheerleading Championship winner is, from California, Redondo Union High School!!!” Everyone was either in tears or close to it.
Winning the event was a remarkable achievement for a school that had never entered a competition and will live in the memories of these incredible young ladies for the remainder of their lives. The experience will remain in our memory as long as we have a memory. We are forever proud of our granddaughter–confident enough to walk into a tryout and give her all to being part of a team determined to be the best they can be. Fortunately, Helen and I had the privilege of attending.
Note: This weekend, after the National Championships, Redondo Union traveled to Anaheim, California to compete in the United Spirit Association Championship against teams from Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and California. Two teams out of seven made the finals. Justin called last night, and Redondo Union claimed the First Place Trophy.
From Florida, exhausted, we’re Easin’ Along.
Please see additional pictures in the Picture Gallery that follow this post.
