TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Chiles High School competitive cheer squad finished state runners-up back in 2017, and ever since, they've been chasing a state title. This year is the year they feel they can finally bring it home to Tallahassee for the first time.
"I think the drive that all 12 of us have is so important," said Ashlyn Pinner, a senior who's spent all four years on varsity.
"The seniors we have this year and the senior class leading this group is incredibly hungry," added coach Caylen Berry.
For the last four years, this group of Timberwolf seniors have been close.
"They have actually made it straight to straight finals every year they've cheered," said Berry.
Now, they're ready to see some success.
"We have two coaches that are pushing us so hard to win this state title, and I just think we've been pushing so hard," said senior Alexis Rice, who's also been on varsity since her freshman year.
In a shortened season, it hasn't always been easy.
"Our choreography was done within one practice," said Berry. "We did our dance in one practice."
"There's been a lot of days we've come to practice and we make changes in the routine and we tell them, guys, we don't have three days to change this," said coach Dana Brown.
They've overcome the challenges, winning regionals with no deductions to their routine, which has been an extra shot of confidence heading into state.
"It's so important we have that drive to win at states," said Pinner. "I think with that drive we have, we're going to make it."
Drive they're hoping, leads them to history. Chiles competes Saturday in the 2A small varsity division. Leon and Florida High's teams also qualified for state.
