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Mustangs cheerleaders to yell for national crown

By KEVIN JOHNSON (Contact)

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

It's safe to say if the Estero Mustangs' cheerleaders win a national championship at Disney's Wide World of Sports, south Lee County — and all points between — will soon know about it.

"If we win," said Estero cheer coordinator Emily McDaniel, "you'll be able to hear us from Disney."

The Mustangs football teams concluded their Pop Warner seasons more than a month ago, but the program's junior midget cheerleaders have continued to shine.

That's what winning will do.

First, the Mustangs won a Peace River Conference cheer competition. Then last week the squad captured the Southeast Regional, earning a bid to tomorrow's Pop Warner National Cheer Championships at Disney.

The Mustangs, whose cheerleaders come from Bonita Springs, Estero and San Carlos Park, will have two minutes to show judges and nine other Pop Warner competitors what they do best.

"They're just an awesome squad. They've worked really hard this year," said Mustangs head coach Dannel Domke.

That hard work paid off when the Mustangs, who practice three days a week, beat five other squads to capture the regional championship at the T.D. Waterhouse Centre in Orlando.

How dedicated are these 'Stangs?

They actually departed for regionals on Thanksgiving. The trip proved worthwhile when they returned home with a ticket to Disney, marking what is believed to be the first Mustangs team to advance to nationals since 1997.

The ages of the 16-member squad range from 10 to 13. The team includes two boys, a rarity in youth cheerleading. Peter Jones and Austin Kohlberg became big fan favorites at regionals.

"They rocked the regionals. The crowd loved them," said McDaniel.

In what turned out to be a "saving the best for last scenario," Estero was the final team to perform out of six. Their routine was flawless, according to their coaches.

"They hit everything so well. They were so on," said Domke.

Estero might get a chance to go last again. They're scheduled to be the final performance in their category early tomorrow afternoon.

The Mustangs will be in the small size, advanced category with nine other squads, including Southeast Regional runner-up East Manatee. Other squads seeking the national junior midget title include the Dracut Middies (Mass.), Monroe Wolverines (N.J.), Blue Springs Gators (Ark.), Southeast Apaches (Texas), Toms River Angels (N.J.), Burlington Patriots (Mass.), Northeast Vikings (Texas) and Garner Trojans (N.C.).

Estero Mustangs junior midget cheerleaders: Cassandra Agapi, Danielle Anderson, Jordan Daly, Celeste Dempsey, Summer DeSalvo, Brittany Domke, Kayla Flanagan, Ashlee Gale, Destiny Goodridge, Jenna Hartt, Peter Jones, Austin Kohlberg, Brianna Riley, Alexis Rodriguez, Torri Sunkle, Casey Valentine. Coaches: Dannel Domke, Emily McDaniel, Brittaney Haley, Heather Schweitzer.