GB cheerleaders eighth at state
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted Photo Eight is great The Gulf Breeze High varsity cheerleading squad took eighth out of 32 teams in the Medium Varsity division at the inaugural Florida High School Athletic Association's Competitive Cheerleading competition. They are (front, from left): Natalie Landry, Kadee Kennedy, Chrissy Helvenston, Maci deMahy and Elizabeth Niles. Middle row (from left): Sarah Hyman, Margaret Pagonis, Maggie Clark, Kari Stephenson, Kady Reeves and Casey Redish. Back row (from left): Sarah Morgan, Bayleigh Boles, Kayla James, Elise Fromularo and Amanda Bennett.

The Gulf Breeze High varsity cheerleading squad took eighth place at the recent Florida High School Athletic Association's first ever Competitive Cheerleading competition in Boca Raton at Florida Atlantic University.

"I couldn't be more proud of the girls," varsity cheerleading advisor Amy Askegren said. "The first time we did the routine, it didn't go that great. But they got down there to finals and it was just flawless."

GBHS was one of 33 teams that were registered to compete in the Medium Varsity Division. Of those 33, only 26 participated.

Gulf Breeze finished second in their group (Group A) with a score of 367. Eleven teams made the finals with Gulf Breeze finishing eighth with a score of 374.5

"We got top of the line scores in tumbling and stunting," Askegren said.

The team is comprised of seniors Chrissy Helvenston, Sarah Hyman, Kadee Kennedy and Sarah Morgan, juniors

Amanda Bennett, Bayleigh Boles, Maggie Clark, Maci deMahy, Elise Fromularo, Natalie Landry, Elizabeth Niles, Casey Redish, Kady Reeves and Kari Stephenson and sophomores Kayla James and Margaret Pagonis.

Photos courtesy of Amy Askegren The Gulf Breeze varsity cheerleaders warm up before their March 8 routine at the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading competition. They finished in eighth place