For the first time ever, the junior varsity cheerleaders of the Dartmouth Youth Football League took first place in their national competition in Orlando, Florida.

“It went really, really well. We thought that the girls would place in the top 15. It’s really hard competition,” said Cheer Coordinator Katie Nicholson.

Competing against eight regions across the United States, the team of 17 11 to 14 year olds won by five points.

“We were coming off a third place win from the previous competition, so we were not going in expecting first place,” Nicholson said.

This is the league’s third team to head to nationals since they first got involved with Pop Warner.

“They really, really gave it their all,” she said. “These kids have just grown so much over the past few years. We have a few eighth graders that are leaving this year and it’s just incredible they were able to experience this.”

She highlighted how far the program has come, even in the past four years that she’s been involved: “It has just been remarkable.”

“Our program really never even made it past our first competition, so for the girls to make it, it’s really pretty special and they have been working hard and putting the work in and it shows.”

Following nationals, the girls have the option to head to the YCADA Globals. Nicholson said the team usually does one or the other, but they are going to see if the parents are interested in both this year.

She said fundraising went “really well” with a number of last minute donors. 

“Our president, Sam Blevines, was an absolute rockstar this season. He secured a lot of the funds and sponsorships,” she added.

Overall, Nicholson said, “It was a tough season from beginning to end. We really worked hard and there were a lot of obstacles at the beginning and the girls really overcame those obstacles and I’m just so proud of them.”