Getting Started for Daytona 2025
So my cheer squad decided to go hard for Daytona 2025 after bombing last year’s regionals. First thing Monday morning I dragged everyone into the gym at 6 AM sharp. Made ’em run laps till they puked – no pain no gain right? Printed out last year’s winner videos and stapled them to the wall.
Building the Routine
We spent three whole days just fighting over music choices. Karen kept pushing that awful techno remix but I shut that down fast. Finally picked a hip-hop/pop mashup that actually had a beat. Choreography took forever – we’d build a section then scrap it when someone face-planted doing round-offs.
Key changes we made:
- Switched back spots ’cause Tyler couldn’t catch Susie without shaking
- Cut all tumbling passes after midriff guy kept eating mat
- Added four extra stunts when judges’ sheets said we lacked difficulty
Survival Mode Practices
Ran that damn routine 20 times daily til feet bled. Our flyer cried when I made her redo basket tosses for two hours straight. Had to duct tape someone’s ankle after a bad pyramid collapse. Brought in my retired cheer coach aunt who yelled at us for floppy wrists. Tossed pizza at ’em when morale tanked.
Hit breaking point when Kyle stormed out screaming “I quit cheer forever!” Next day he showed up with Starbucks for everyone. Team bonding, baby.
Competition Day Insanity
Bus broke down in Daytona traffic. Had to sprint 8 blocks in full uniform carrying mats! Warmup area was total zoo – teams stepping on each other’s toes. Watched three squads wipe out during stunts while we waited. My hands were sweating buckets backstage.
But when our music hit? Magic. Hit every stunt cleaner than practice. Stuck the final pyramid dead center. Crowd went nuts when Jeff did that death drop we drilled 137 times.
What Actually Worked
Proven stuff from our win:
- Drill stunts until they’re boring – muscle memory saved us when nerves hit
- Film every practice to spot the weak links (sorry Tyler)
- Bring triple the hairspray – Florida humidity murders ponytails
- Bribe judges with eye contact and those creepy pageant smiles
Seeing that first-place trophy? Totally worth the stress vomit. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got blisters to soak and a Karen hug to dodge.