Dr. Phillips cheerleading places second in state

The Dr. Phillips competitive cheerleading team placed second in the state in the Class 2A Small Varsity division at the FHSAA State Finals in Kissimmee for a second consecutive year on Saturday.

The Panthers, who reigned as state champions for five consecutive seasons prior to 2014 and 2015, have placed second behind the Oviedo Lions in each of the past two state finals. Each year, Dr. Phillips would have likely claimed the top spot had it not been for a mistake in its routine, with the Panthers, who scored an 82.38, finishing just .62 behind Oviedo (83) this time around.

“Knowing that we were that close, had they hit that routine that they would have placed first, is a little bittersweet,” Panthers coach Samantha Boussalham said. "However, I’m not upset that they placed second.”

Now, as was the case a year ago, Dr. Phillips will look to utilize its second place finish as motivation going into this weekend’s Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championships at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports.

A year ago, the Panthers took the top spot in nation in their division and Dr. Phillips has placed in the top three at the national event in each of the past six years.

“That happened to us last year … they got it together and it just made them more hungry for Nationals,” Boussalham recalled. “They went out there and nailed their routine twice at Nationals last year and we came out in first and that’s our plan moving forward is to do that again.

“For us, the National Title is the big one,” she added. “That’s the one that’s on ESPN and that’s the one that everyone in the nation knows to see.”

Though there is disappointment with the second place finish in Kissimmee, that the Panthers are in position to duplicate their success from a year ago at all is an accomplishment after the misfortune the team has experienced this season. Boussalham, who has led the program for a decade now, said the squad was riddled with injuries this year but that the girls have rolled with the punches admirably.

“It’s been a rough year … of the 10 years that I have coached here, this has probably been the roughest due to injuries,” Boussalham said.

Key to dealing with the adversity has been the team’s seniors. Seniors Taylor Anderson, Kelly Gomez, Jamie Jenkins, Shannon Knight, Beverly Meena and Thi Peeples have all left a legacy with the program.

“They all are really great kids … they all contribute amazingly to the program,” Boussalham said of her seniors.

The veteran coach hopes to send her seniors out on a high note, with another national title in hand.

“I know it would mean the world to the girls,” she said. “I know that they are going to give it their all this year.”