Teams continue to set the standard.
By any measure, the 2026 season will be remembered as a defining chapter in Strawberry Crest High School athletics. The Chargers cheer program delivered a year for the record books, claiming its 12th consecutive FHSAA State Championship and sweeping the national stage with three major wins at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships.
“The 2026 season will go down as one for the history books, marking the most successful year in Strawberry Crest Cheer history,” said head coach Loveny Savarino. “With 40 dedicated student-athletes and seven committed coaches, the program reached unprecedented heights on both the state and national stages.”
On January 22 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Strawberry Crest’s Varsity Coed team secured its 12th straight FHSAA State Championship, continuing a dominant streak that began in 2015. The momentum carried over into February when the Chargers competed against the nation’s top programs at the UCA National Championship, held from February 6 to 8 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
There, Strawberry Crest’s Small Varsity Coed team earned its third National Championship in six years (2020, 2024, 2026) and captured a World title, taking home two coveted white championship jackets. The celebration continued as the UCA Medium Game Day Non-Tumbling team claimed its first-ever National Championship, marking a milestone moment for the program.
“To date, the Strawberry Crest Cheer program has amassed 12 straight state titles, four national championships, and one world title—solidifying its legacy as one of the most accomplished programs in the country,” Savarino said.
Behind the trophies lies a culture built on discipline and unity. “The culture of Strawberry Crest Cheer is built on accountability, trust, and pride. We hold our athletes to a championship standard, not just in performance, but in how they represent themselves, their teammates, and their school every day,” Savarino said. “Our athletes understand that talent may win moments, but discipline and unity win championships.”
Preparation for competition is as demanding mentally as it is physically. “During competition season, practices are intense and intentional. Physically, we focus on conditioning, repetition of elite-level skills, and full-outs (running the entire routine) are a regular part of our week to build endurance and performance quality,” Savarino explained.
Mental training plays a critical role. The cheerleaders are not only training physically, but also mentally, and there is a lot that goes into it. “Visualization, pressure simulations, and goal setting are key components of our preparation. We practice performing under fatigue and under scrutiny so that competition feels familiar,” she said. “We talk openly about resilience, confidence, and staying composed when things don’t go perfectly.”
Like any elite program, the Chargers faced challenges along the way. Injuries, routine setbacks, close losses, and the pressure of high expectations were key moments that tested the team and coaches. Rather than allowing adversity to divide them, they used it as a tool, strengthening not just their communication but their resilience as well.
Each team advanced through three demanding rounds of national competition, facing some of the most elite high school cheer programs in the country as the stakes grew higher with each performance. Every round required precision, stamina, and mental toughness, with little room for error as routines were evaluated under intense scrutiny. For the athletes, the pressure of performing on a national stage tested not only their physical preparation, but their composure and trust in one another. “The journey was an emotional roller coaster for our athletes, coaches, and families—filled with nerves, anticipation, and unforgettable joy,” Savarino said, noting that the experience forged lasting memories and strengthened the bond within the program.
Some of the most memorable moments came not during performances, but in shared celebration. “The true heartbeat of our program is the way our athletes support one another. They don’t just compete together, they genuinely celebrate each other,” Savarino said. One such moment occurred when the Game Day team was crowned National Champion while the Coed team watched the awards ceremony online. “The excitement was electric, and the pride they felt for one another was undeniable.”
Hours later, that bond was on full display again. “Another unforgettable moment followed when the Coed team earned their National Championship title just six hours later,” Savarino said. “As the coed team gathered in a circle to pray to give gratitude, the Game Day team quietly joined around them, forming a larger circle of support. In that moment, it wasn’t just about trophies, it was about unity, love, and the bond that connects both teams as one program.”
In the end, the 2026 season will be remembered not only for the championships and white jackets, but for the standard Strawberry Crest Cheer continues to set. The program’s success reflects years of discipline, belief, and collective sacrifice—an understanding that greatness is built long before the spotlight arrives. As banners are raised and titles added to an already storied history, what endures most is the culture behind the victories: a program defined by unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence that will shape its athletes long after the final counts are called.
Coed Varsity Roster:
Emma Alfonso, McKenzie Blunt, Brooke Browning, Gabrielle Capaz, Mónica Capaz, McKeena Davis, Kennedy Duncan, Aubrey Duncan, Sydney Gould, Sophia Jenkins, Ayana Liburd, Lily Miller, Peytin Nguyen, Danielle Roberson, Payton Sweat, Victoria Torres-Bosch, Braden Herrington, Hayden Johns, Christopher Madrid, Evan Sweat
Game Day Roster:
Avianka Danpersaud, Tatyana Zutz, Jemelliah Bethune, Macadyn Catlin, Kinslee Grabenhorst, Kaylei Hardin, Cambell Hunt, Tanari Knighten, Hannah Layton, Lylah Linares, Madison Nash, Gabriela Palomares, Sara Parke, Georgia Pippin, Cayleigh Stafford, Skylar Townsend, Samantha Watson, Baylee Wood, Faith Jackson, Ruthy Scott
Coaching Staff:
Loveny Savarino, Amanda Duncan, Jessica Lee, Jessica Thompson, Ronzail Walker, Nashan Davis, Anthony Medina
