Western’s Norton, West Broward’s Culbertson are Broward co-cheerleading coaches of the year
For the first time in school history, the Western Wildcats won a state cheerleading title.
And while West Broward had technical difficulties at the state meet, the Bobcats found success at a higher level, becoming the first Broward County school to win at the national and world level.
As such, their coaches — Western’s Carrie Norton and West Broward’s Danielle Culbertson — are the Miami Herald’s Broward co-cheerleading coaches of the year.
Norton’s Western team took first place in the Class 2A medium co-ed division. Western had previously finished as state runner-up in both 2016 and 2020.
Western’s full team: Adriana Ribotti, Angelina Caccavale, Anthony Reguero, Ashley Ragan, Ashley Glodich, Ariella Parker, Brooke Aufenanger, Brooke Rothschild, Brooke Rushetsky, Emily Harris, Evelis Valencia, Hailey Sutton, Giuliana Caglianone, Jaleah McDougle, Jayden Mennella, Jazlene Rosario, Joel Cortes, Josalyn Elmore, Journey Bey, Lailani Almodovar, Lauren Bowlby, London Jackson, Mya Rush, Myla Friend, Olivia Deveza, Sara Lange, Yael Schwartzman and Zach Deveza.
Western becomes the ninth Broward county school to win a cheerleading state championship since the FHSAA began sanctioning the sport in 2008. The others: Coral Glades, West Broward, Dillard, Coral Springs, Coral Springs Charter, Stranahan, Cardinal Gibbons and South Plantation.
Speaking of West Broward, their attempt to win a third consecutive state title under Culbertson and seventh overall fell short after technical issues popped up in the middle of their routine during the finals of the Class 2A large non-tumbling division. They had to settle for fourth place, snapping a six-year run of finishing either first or second at state.
However, the Bobcats followed up their performance at state with a fantastic outing at the 2024 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. West Broward took first place in the varsity co-ed non-tumbling division after finishing as runners-up in the event in both 2022 and 2023.
The West Broward team that got it done: Brady Brocato, Annabella Maldonado, Briana O’Connell, Allan Ascencion, Avigail Batista, Jasmine Bolanos, Ella Castillo, Kendall Zack, Leyani Garcia, Nylah Harper, Ava Dominguez, Emma Fernandez, Melanie Zimmerman, Hailey Sarmiento, Lexine Fenton, Dior Watson, Rhema Cruse-Chipman, Camila Fuentes, Lundyn Schor Haskin Stefanie Ion and Ariana Aguirre.