News Post

The St. Joseph’s Academy Cheerleaders brought home their fifth consecutive national title, winning the 2025 National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC). This year’s competition was held February 7-10 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Produced by Universal Cheerleaders Association, the NHSCC is the pinnacle of cheerleading competitions for high school cheerleaders across the country.

The Redstickers competed in the Large Varsity Division II. During the semifinal round on Sunday, the team hit a zero-deduction routine and was in first place going into Monday’s finals. Despite a one-point deduction for a minor building fall, the team came out on top because of the routine’s difficulty and execution.

Coach Jade Blalock said the season is best described in one word: growth. “This team has accomplished so much as a team and as individuals,” she said. “Observing these young ladies at nationals has been inspiring, and coaching them was fulfilling. Every year, the expectations are set higher and higher with the skill level that high school cheerleading competes at. These girls trusted me through the process, and I can’t thank them enough for that. These girls are sisters and love this sport but love each other more. Although it wasn’t the finals performance we hoped for, they know to be proud of everything that was accomplished. I’m so proud to be their coach.”

Faculty moderator Lauren Sommer said the team is one of the most resilient and determined she has ever been a part of. In the face of challenges, including illness and injuries, they kept striving for excellence. “They truly love and support each other so much,” she said. “I’m so extremely proud of these athletes and coaches for the hard work they’ve put in all season and for continuing to grow this amazing cheerleading program to what it is now. On the back of their nationals shirts this year, they had a quote that said, ‘Do it scared. Do it confident. Do it no matter what. Do it because of your WHY.’ And that’s exactly what they did. Winning a fifth consecutive national championship, all I can say is wow and that I’m so proud to be part of this program.”

Senior Ella Kate Falgoust, a captain of the squad, said the 26 cheerleaders came together as a family and supported each other throughout the competition. “We pushed each other to be the best we could, and that is exactly what we did,” she said. “We put two strong routines out on the competition floor and were rewarded for all of the hard work we put in. We have had a motto for the past couple of years: ‘Earned not given.’ I think it really applied to this nationals win because after everything, we truly earned this title and were determined to make it happen. Being able to bring home a fifth win was truly incredible and so accomplishing, and I am so proud of this team for all of our success.”

Junior Madison Larussa said the championship weekend was one to remember. “We really had to dig deep and lean on each other and find our ‘why,’” she said. “We knew that we were capable of pushing past the obstacles and were determined to show everyone what we worked for and the time and love we put into this. This weekend really brought the team together and was life changing. I’m so proud of this team and all we have had to overcome, not only this weekend but this whole season.”

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director