There is a certain pristine aura when it comes to Lakeland’s cheer program, much like the big-time sports programs that are expected to win. And Lakeland, with all its expectations thanks to its then-five state titles, stayed at the mountaintop and claimed another state cheer title Friday night at the RP Funding Center.
The Dreadnaughts won their sixth state title in a row and 11th overall in the Class 2A extra-large non tumbling division thanks to a score of 86.90 in the 2024 FHSAA Competition Cheer Championships. This is also the third time in school history the program has claimed a state title when the football team earns a state title as well.
“It’s great. (The) pressure’s a privilege, but now you can take a deep breath because we did it,” ninth-year head coach Crystal Abdon said. “It’s the standard and the expectation, and the kids put in a lot of work. I don’t think people realize how much work they do put in.”
A typical season starts in April before cheering through football season. Then competitive cheer begins in October. Cheer teams work all the way through February, and the best teams advance to nationals, which this year, is slated for Feb. 9-10 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Lakeland is one of those teams along with Bartow, Winter Haven, George Jenkins, Auburndale, among other teams.