By Tamas Mondovics
In the wake of an outstanding season success, the Brandon High School (BHS) cheerleading squad, led by program Head Coach Nancy Reagor and Assistant Coach Marissa May, have been eagerly looking forward to the new school year.
The program rightfully boasts of a number of achievements including the highest performance ever for BHS Cheer at Western Conference reaching 12th place out of the 27 high schools ahead of cheer heavy hitters Bloomingdale and Plant High School.
The program also took third place at Regionals in the small division behind first place winner Steinbrenner and Indian Rocks Beach.
“This was the first time that cheer squads had to qualify for states, which we did with a third place finish at regionals and with a score above 60 points,” Reagor proudly said.
The squad finished the year 6th in the state in its division, a huge improvement from 47th place the year before.
Reagor said that her squad was the first woman’s team at Brandon High School to go past districts since the mid 1990s.
“We have had individual women go to states in cross country and golf but we are the first team,” she said.
A couple of exciting events for the squad and BHS cheer fans to look forward to this coming season includes the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship Game in Char
lotte North Carolina, on Saturday, December 5.
“We have rostered 18 Varsity girls and 12 JV girls for the 2015-2016 season and at UCA Camp both teams took first place in their respective divisions to qualify to cheer at the ACC,” Reagor said.
Adding to the list of achievements for the team is its All Americans who will represent the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) this season. Varsity qualifiers Haley Ann Johnson and Nikaletta Martin will take part in the UCA parade and cheer tour in London, England, while Alex Ruiz will represent UCA in the JV division Thanksgiving Parade in Orlando.
Reagor said that the main reason for the team’s success can be attributed to the incredible spirit within.
“As a team our greatest strength is heart and an unmatched work ethic,” she said.
“This is the best group I have coached. They truly want to succeed and are willing to work on their own to develop the skills that they need to be at the very top of our sport.”
Summing it all up, Reagor drew attention to the BHS Cheer motto, the driving force behind the program’s success: “When great is possible good is not enough.”
“We believe it and we live it,” she said. “The girls give 110 percent and leave it on the mat daily. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Brandon High School Cheerleading squad can be followed on twitter @BHSEagles_Cheer.
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