Local cheerleaders outstanding at state. Plus district soccer champs, hoops, tennis, water polo
Broward and Miami-Dade counties did very well at the FHSAA State Competitive Cheerleading Championships at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Miami Lourdes, Miami St. Brendan and Davie Western won state titles. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, Miami Doral Academy, Miami LaSalle and Homestead Keys Gate were runners-up.
▪ About Lourdes Cheer: The Bobcats won the Nfinity The America's Cheerleading Cup, the Bobcat Battle and the UCA Florida Regional. They were second at FHSAA regionals and first at state in Class 1A Medium, where they scored 91.60, the highest score of any team in any 1A division. This marks their first FHSAA state title. Last season, they placed second at state.
The state champs are: Gloria Aguirre, Mia Alvarez, Brooke Bolt, Yva Cao, Adriana Caso, Cassandra Esquivel, Sophia Evans, Valeria Fierman, Adriana Figueredo, Mia Goff, Gabriella Gonzalez, Anabelle Huembes, Carolina Lopez, Francesca Loureda, Lauren MacNamara, Emma Menendez, Alani Ortega, Camila Rodriguez, Zoe Rodriguez, Camila Sanchez, Angelica Santeliz, Danielle Torrents, Samantha Torrents, Sophia Vadillo, Head Coach Vikki McKeon and assistant coaches Alessandra Infante and Sophia Eguiguren.
▪ About St. Brendan Cheer: The Sabres won the Class 1A Large region championship and their ninth FHSAA state title. They will compete in the UCA High School National Championships in Orlando.
The state champs are: Alessandra Cardelles, Ashley Morales, Ava Diaz, Bianca Miro, Brooke Vila, Cecilia Castro, Danielle Perez, Elysabeth Yanes, Gabriela Hernandez, Giulianna Hernandez, Isabella Alonso, Isabella Garcia, Jillian Rodriguez, Juliette Reina, Lauren Blanco, Luna Sixto, Lydie van Hemert, Madison Labarraque, Megna Martin, Mia Hernandez, Ariana Santana, Olivia Bertot, Olivia Riverol, Sarah Bencomo, Sophia Iglesias, Vanessa Bu-Nassar, Veronica Hutner. Head Coach Victoria Sicre and assistant coaches Veronica Salazar, Ana Alvarez and Cecilia Esteban.
▪ About Western Cheer: The Wildcats were first at the Americas Cup, second at the UCA Qualifier, second at FHSAA regionals and first at state in Class 2A Small Coed. This marks their second consecutive state title. They've been runner-up at state twice, too.
The state champs are: Abbie Dunn, Adriana Ribotti, Angelina Caccavale, Anthony Reguero, Audrey Johnson, Emily Harris, Giuliana Caglianone, Jaleah McDougle, Jayden Mennalla, Journey Bey, Evelis Valencia, London Jackson, Alana Placide, Lailani Almodovar, Myla Friend, Olivia Deveza, Oria Buhbut, Jaela Deligio, Yael Schwartzman, Zoe King, Lauren Bowlby, Mason Cooperman, Stella Cooperman, Saige Beauregard, Liel Levi, Jayden Diaz, Anna Granville, Gabi De Wilde, Caleb Delaney, and coaches Carrie Norton, Kristi Warren, Holly Allen and Joey Bayron.
▪ About Gibbons Cheer: The Chiefs were first at the Bobcat Battle but then dealt with some injuries and illness which led to fourth at districts and fifth at FHSAA regionals. They bounced back at state with an impressive second place showing in Class 1A Extra Large Non-Tumbling. They have two state titles and two runner-up finishes in program history.
The state runners-up are Angelina Ávila, Chrissy Beasley, Gianna Cammarata, Sofia Castronovo, Lulu Dettor, Olive Dettor, Rumiana Dimitrova, Ellison DiSanto, Savannah Dreibelbis, Leah Faison, Sadie Friedman, Nina George, Ariana Gunter-Hatcher, Ava Hall, Ellysia Hecksher, Callie Johasky, Amanda Kerry, Abigail Klein, Whitney Linder, Ruby Miller, Morgan Moyano, Leia Naar, Kennedy Neilen, Haneita Palmer, Mila Panahi, Ashley Shields, Brooke Shields, Farrah Sorhage, Goldie Sorhage, Sofia Vera, Adler Viola, Jaelyn Wanes, Hayli Wolfe, and Coach Julie St. Thomas.
▪ About LaSalle Cheer: The Royal Lions were third at FHSAA regionals and second at state in Class 1A Large Non-Tumbling. In history, they have won three FHSAA state championships, were runner-ups twice and are two-time national champions.
The state runners-up are Elena Gonzalez, Samantha Reyes, Natalia Sabbagh, Dafna Law, Delani Perez, Annette Labrada, Mia Gomez, Alisa Martinez, Charlotte Cornide, Isabela Mei-Lin Martinez, Natalie Reyes, Isabella Apollo, Valentina Esperante, Isabella Sanchez, Maria Carroll, Francisca Carroll, Aspen Hernandez, Brianna Puglisi, Olivia Gomez, and Coach Coral Del Mar Buxeda.
▪ Locals Placing at State
Class 2A: Small Co-Ed: 1. Western. Medium: 2. Doral Academy. Small Non-Tumbling: 3. Stoneman Douglas, 4. Coral Springs. Extra Large Non-Tumbling: 4. Coral Glades. Large Non-Tumbling: 5. Dillard. Medium Non-Tumbling: 6. Flanagan.
Class 1A: Medium: 1. Lourdes. Large: 1. St. Brendan. Large Non-Tumbling: 2. LaSalle. Extra Large Non-Tumbling: 2. Cardinal Gibbons, 3. Monsignor Pace. Medium Non-Tumbling: 2. Keys Gate. Small Non-Tumbling: 7. Key West.
District soccer
For the past three years, the Florida Christian boys' soccer team could not beat Miami Divine Savior Academy.
Since January 2022, the Patriots had faced the Sharks three times and walked away empty-handed each time.
That changed, when it counted most, in the District 15-2A finals, where the Patriots won 5-3.
Divine Savior entered the district final as the No.1 seed. Florida Christian No.2.
In the semifinals, Divine Savior beat Miami Ransom Everglades 4-0, and Florida Christian defeated True North 3-0.
That set-up a 1 vs. 2 showdown for the district championship.
The Patriots (8-8-3) scored first with an early goal from Cristian Garcia off an assist by Lucas Gutierrez. Florida Christian scored again on Elijah Zapata's goal for a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes. Divine Savior (6-6-3) cut the deficit in half on a penalty kick, but the Patriots scored again via Alexis Bennetot to dominate the first half.
Early in the second half, Garcia scored his second goal for a 4-1 lead. Divine Savior started a comeback with another penalty kick and a goal after to make things close. Ahead 4-3 and down a man late in the game, Alexis Bennetot put the game away with the final goal off a beautiful sequence of passes that split the defense -- the final pass from Garcia.
Florida Christian players collapsed to the turf in exhaustion and elation as they finally won the district title.
For Florida Christian, this victory was more than just a win—it was a statement. From 2017 to 2020, Florida Christian competed as an independent program without district competition. Under the direction of Coach Fernando 'Chele' Hernandez, the Patriots transformed into a top contender, culminating in their district championship triumph.
▪ BOYS: District 15-2A Championship: Florida Christian 5, Divine Savior 3: FC: Cristian Garcia 2 goals, 1 assist; Alexis Bennetot 2 goals; Elijah Zapata 1 goal; Lucas Gutierrez 1 assist. DS: Joshua Canaday 1 goal; Gabriel Naveda 1 goal; Miguel Petter 1 goal. FC 8-8-3, DS 6-6-3.
▪ BOYS: District 16-2A Championship: Westminster Christian 2, Palmer Trinity 0: WC 12-5-1, PT 10-7-4.
▪ BOYS: District 14-2A Championship: Scheck Hillel 2, Miami Country Day 1: SH 15-1-1, MCD 8-8-2.
More district soccer
The South Dade boys' soccer team upset top seed Ferguson 3-1 to win the District 16-7A Championship.
All four goals were scored within the first 20 minutes of the game. Then South Dade clamped down its defense, led by Chaca Rocha and Cuba Gonzales. Prior, Alan Gonzalez, Damien Lucero and Keller Andrade each scored for the Buccaneers (17-3-3).
In a semifinal, South Dade outlasted Palmetto in a shootout. After a scoreless regulation and overtime, the Buccaneers won the shootout battle 4-3 with goals from Yaris Maravilla, Gabriel Robles, Keller Andrade and Carlos Montes. In the other semifinal, Ferguson (9-2-2) edged Coral Reef 2-1.
BOYS: District 15-7A Championship: Columbus 2, Doral Academy 1: Col 12-6-4, Dor 10-7-3.
BOYS: District 14-7A Championship: Stoneman Douglas 4, Boca Raton 0: SD 11-2-2, BR 15-5-4.
GIRLS: Region 4-5A Quarterfinal: Lourdes 8, Jensen Beach 0: Jessica Lee 1 goal, 1 assist, Sienna Aviles 1 goal; Gianna Gray 2 goals; Catherine Esquijerosa 1 goal; Antonella Monsalve 1 goal; Veronica Aguilar 1 goal, 1 assist; Ariana Gonzalez 1 goal; Lily Martinez 1 asisst; Mia Roca 1 assist; Nicole Lee 2 assists; Cecilia Martinez 1 assist; Maia Lorenzo 1 assist; Gkps Lillian Graham and Adrianna Baena shutout. Lour 13-1-2.
Girls: Region 4-5 Quarterfinals: Stuart South Fork 3, Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia 1; Archbishop McCarthy 8, Okeechobee 0; Pembroke Pines Charter 8, Varela 0.
Basketball
Westminster Christian sophomore Angie Fernandez reached 1,000 career points with 28 points in a 58-23 win over St. Brendan.
With 1,027 career points (and counting) in three seasons, she is the first sophomore in Westminster Christian girls' basketball history to do so. This season she is averaging 23.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.4 spg, and 1.4 apg.
The Warriors (11-9) play in the district tournament this week.
Tennis
BOYS: Miami Country Day 4, Ransom Everglades 3: No.1 Lorenzo Lopez (MCD) d. Sam Schulman 8-5; No.2 Niko Skorna (RE) d. Gabriel Karsenti 8-3; No.3 Oscar Bergier (MCD) d. Ale Casal 8-6; No.4 Antonio Movra (MCD) d. Myles Gelber 8-3; No.5 Alec Martinez (RE) d. Ben Lustig 8-1. Doubles No.1 Schulman/Skorna (RE) d. Lopez/Karsenti by inj. def.; No.2 Lucas Bacardi/Bergier (MCD) d. Casal/Gelber 8-0.
GIRLS: Gulliver Prep 7, NSU University School 0: No.1 Valentina Donoso won 6-0; No.2 Siena Ringel won 6-3; No.3 Hanna Matuk won 6-1; No.4 Mika Ringel won 6-0; No.5 Maya Quintero won 6-0.
Water polo
BOYS: Westminster Academy 20, South Broward 0.
GIRLS: Westminster Academy 22, South Broward 8.
Send high school sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
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