Under the bright lights of the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, our cheer team delivered an outstanding performance at the State Finals on Friday, Jan. 31—tumbling, jumping, and soaring to a 2nd-place finish with a final score of 86.4.
Their routine, which included jumps, a pyramid, elite stunts and dance was full of energy, showcasing their strength, precision, and teamwork, which had clearly made an impact on both the judges and the crowd.
This impressive finish at State Finals wasn’t the only milestone for the team this season. Right after States, they competed at Nationals, where they went head-to-head with some of the toughest teams in the country. After scoring 82.9 in both the Prelims and Semifinals, they came back strong in the Finals with a score of 86, ultimately finishing 6th in the nation.
Cheerleading Head Coach Brianna Godfrey reflected on the team’s recent and electrifying success, and notes what it could mean for the future of Robinson Cheer.
“We’ve been rebuilding for three seasons, and didn’t expect to be in this position so soon. This team knows its goals and hit them hard,” Godfrey said. “These titles give me hope for the program’s future, especially with the new talent we’ll bring in next year.”
Despite all the triumphs, the season wasn’t without its challenges.
“Cheerleading has one of the longest seasons in the school,” Godfrey said. “We start in June and don’t finish until February, so burnout can be tough. Attendance is critical, and keeping motivation up is a constant challenge.”
While Godfrey played a major role in leading the team to victory for both States and Nationals, the win wouldn’t be possible without the combined efforts from cheerleaders, such as team captain Danica De Jenzano (‘25).
“I motivate the team by reminding them of the reward that comes after,” De Jenzano said. “By hitting a clean routine and using our technique, we can achieve great scores and placements.”
And while they didn’t walk away with a first-place trophy, the team still managed to cement themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
“Even though we didn’t get first, we have proved to the nation and ourselves that we are a competitive team that are up there with the best,” Flyer Laura Smith (‘26) said.
