National cheerleading champs, district basketball winners and water polo opener to honor Osuna
Monsignor Pace and West Broward won national titles in competitive cheerleading.
Division II
The Monsignor Pace girls’ cheerleading team won a national title and also a world title, making the Spartans the first cheer team from Miami-Dade County to accomplish both in the same year.
Pace won nationals during the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships (NHSCC) at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista near Orlando.
The Spartans finished first in Large Varsity Non-Tumbling DII.
Cardinal Gibbons, which won state this season and was a national champion last season, had a strong showing, taking runner-up honors at this year’s nationals in the same division.
The St. Brendan competitive cheerleading team also placed second at nationals.
The Sabres were second of 40-plus teams in Medium Varsity DII.
Pace, which was fourth at state and fifth at regionals, followed up the next day by winning a world title at that ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
World Champion and National Champion Pace: Gabriella Alvarez, I’yanah Ambrose, Angelina Angel, Ashley Bel, Madison Bezada, Christine Bien-Aime, Samantha Blanco, Eva Brous, Kanieya Drayton, Jameel Fabre, Gabriela Fernandez, Gabriella Ferreiro, Denaysha Fletcher, Tamia Howell, Abigail Izaguirre, Emmanuela Joseph, Khloe Luc, Maddison Luc, Moriah Moise, Leilah Percinthe, Michelle Philogene, Inais Suarez, Jade Wooden, Head Coach Surella Rodriguez, Assistant Coach Jasmine Mason, Assistant Coach Lisa Mason, Athletic Trainer Dr. A. Mariner.
National Runner-Up and State Champion Cardinal Gibbons: Angelina Avila, Emma Bello, Gianna Cammarata, Sofia Castronovo, Olive Dettor, Rumiana Dimitrova, Ellison DiSanto, Autumn Dreibelbis, Leah Faison, Londyn Freed, Nina George, Natalia Gonzalez, Isabella Gonzalez, Ava Hall, Abby Klein, Giselle Kramer, Mia Lepera, Melodi Lewis, Whitney Linder, Dennison Machul, Mackenzie Midgett, Ruby Miller, Taylor Moceri, Morgan Moyano, Leia Naar, Haneita Palmer, Mila Panahi, Aubrey Storelli, Sofía Vera, Jaelyn Wanes, Hayli Wolfe, Coach Julie St. Thomas.
National Runner-Up, State Champion and Region Champion St. Brendan: Allison Estevez, Ava Diaz, Bianca Miro, Captain Ceci Castro, Danielle Perez, Elysabet Yanes, Eva Martinez, Gabrielle Davis, Gia Guerrero, Giada Semeraro, Giulianna Hernandez, Isabella Alonso, Jillian Rodriguez, Luna Sixto, Lydie van Hemert, Martina Barth, Megan Martin, Captain Mia Bella Hernandez, Mia Gras, Ariana Santana, Olivia Riverol, Sarah Bencomo, Sienna Othon, Sophia Ocque, Stella Mata, Veronica Hutner. Head Coach Victoria Sicre and assistant coaches Ana Alvarez and Veronica Salazar.
Division I
West Broward celebrated a national title in Large Varsity Non-Tumbling DI during the following weekend at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships (NHSCC) inside the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista near Orlando..
This marked the second national title for the Bobcats.
Western took runner-up honors in Varsity Coed Non-Tumbling DI. Western and West Broward were also state and region champs this season.
Dillard, a region champ, was fourth of 19 teams in Medium Varsity Non-Tumbling DI. Last season the Panthers competed in worlds, placing fourth, too.
State champ Downtown Doral competed in its first nationals. In the semifinals of Varsity Coed Non-Tumbling DI, the Dolphins hit their routine but missed qualifying for the finals by 0.7 of a point.
The following day Western won a world championship there.
National Champion, State Champion and Region Champion West Broward: Adelaila Cabrera, Nylah Harper, Andrea Lopez, Meadow Scott, Hailey Sarmiento, Ariana Aguirre, Antonella Chiarella, Livia Dewoskin, Mia Dewoskin, Emma Fernandez, Olivia Tirone, Melanie Zimmerman, Emily Chetram, Alexa Millan, Andrea D’Ribeaux, Marley Chacon, Isabella Gonzalez, Bristol Booth, Maren Berthelotte, Kennedi Moore, Camila Fuentes, Peyton Chatman, and alternates Shiva Shavit, Nia Cabrera, Mia Cleary, Faith Delgado. Coaches Danielle Culbertson, Amber San Angelo, Corey Jackson.
World Champion, National Runner-Up, State Champion and Region Champion Western: Janiyah Rochez, Talia Quintana, Journey Bet, Angelina Caccavale, Myla Friend, Jaleah McDogle, LaiLani Almodovar, Zoe King, Giuliana Caglianone, Jayden Mennella, Emily Harris, Brooklyn Ricker, Olivia Deveza, Demi Boulanger, Stella Cooperman, Adriana Ribotti, Evelis Valencia, Kimora Toledo, Nyla Curry, Halle Rivera, Haley Bass, Elior Levi, Synai Holmes, Johnny Bustamante and Liel Levi. Coaches Carrie Norton, Joey Bayron and Kristi Warren.
National Placer (4th), State Placer (4th) and Region Champion Dillard: Heaven Edwards, Niylah Santiago, Kamauri Hagan, Jakayla Rucker, Shakayla Pope, D’Erica Hamilton, Jariah Wright, Taylor Prince, Jada Brown, Jadavea Thorpe, Anasia Gaines, Amari Dennard-Striggles, Paris Hall, Chelsea Randolph, Davionah Snell, Emorie Mason, Jalisia Jackson, Mi’Nyah Lee, Ja’ziyah Lee. Head Coach Ernest Merrell.
National Semifinalist, State Champ and Region Runner-Up Downtown Doral: Camila Albarran, Isabella Alvarez, Pierangela Araujo, Fabiola Arevalo, Amanda Barbieri, Julia Barbosa, Brooke Coronel (captain), Nicole Ferraz, Arturo Guevara, Emma Hernandez, Flavia Lopez, Milan Massiani, Fabrizio Mastropasqua, Paulina Menon, Noa Molero, Samantha Pinilla, Arianna Rando, Alexia Rey, Zoe Tamayo. Coaches Maria Franco, Patricia Moreno, Christian Gil, Santiago Leon.
Basketball postseason
The 2A Palmer Trinity girls’ basketball team won its seventh district title in eight seasons, while junior Emma Esparza surpassed the 1,000 career point mark.
North Miami repeated as girls’ district champions in 5A, while also advancing to regionals.
In boys’ hoops, Belen Jesuit easily won districts in 5A, and second seed Divine Savior edged top seed Miami Country Day for a 2A district title.
GIRLS: District 16-2A Championship: Palmer Trinity 65, Mater Bay 7: Esparza 19 pts, Nieves 14, Wright 14, Dawson 8, Rivero 4, Poux 2, Emery 2, Sullivan 2. 3-ptrs: Esparza 1, Nieves 2. Rebs: Wright 14. Stls: Wright 10. PT 18-7, MB 7-12.
GIRLS: District 16-5A Championship: North Miami 81, Lourdes 42: J’adore Hayes 38 pts, 25 rebs, 3 blks, 2 stls, 2 asts; Rayna Benoit 22 pts (3-5 3-ptrs), 11 asts, 6 stls, 2 rebs; Shaneika Maxenat 11 pts, 10 rebs, 10 asts, 3 blks, 3 stls; Alijah Rene 8 pts, 2 stls, 1 ast, 2 blks; Donnesha Morency 10 rebs, 3 asts, 2 pts. NM 17-7.
BOYS: District 16-1A Championship: Schoolhouse Prep 58, Westwood Christian 54: SP: Gates 10 pts, 13 rebs, 3 stls, 2 asts, 1 blk; Sanchez 16 pts, 7 rebs. WC: Jason Martinez 21 pts, 10 rebs; Julian Caragol 11 pts, 5 rebs; Daniel Cabello 8 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts. SP 13-10, WC 12-9.
BOYS: District 14-2A Championship: Divine Savior 69, Miami Country Day 63: Fernando Grande 22 pts, 10 rebs, 3 stls; David Watson 22 pts, 6 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks; Joost West 14 pts, 7 rebs, 4 stls, 4 asts. DS 18-8, MCD 20-7.
BOYS: District 16-5A Championship: Belen Jesuit 67, American 27: Orlando Roche 27 pts, 3 asts, 7 rebs; Alec Arnholt 11 pts, 9 asts, 4 rebs; Lucas Diaz 9 pts, 2 asts, 1 reb; Sammy Hincapie 5 pts; Alejandro Bird 4 pts, 3 asts, 4 rebs. Bel 22-5.
BOYS: District 16-5A Semifinal: Belen Jesuit 76, Hialeah 51: Orlando Roche 26 pts, 3 asts, 6 rebs, 4 stls; Alec Arnholt 14 pts, 6 asts, 6 stls; Lucas Diaz 8 pts, 3 asts, 2 rebs; Lucas Baldor 7 pts, 5 stls. Bel 21-5.
BOYS: District 16-7A Semifinal: Coral Reef 70, Ferguson 44: Angel Santos 27 pts, 5 rebs, 5 stls, 1 ast; Isaiah Charlot 25 pts, 11 rebs, 2 stls; Nicolas Estevesdemaced 6 pts, 2 rebs, 1 stl. CR 15-8.
Water polo
Belen Jesuit hosted the Lucas Osuna Memorial Water Polo Tournament at the Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center in Miami.
Belen won all 3 games, defeating ATM 21-6, last year’s state runner-up Mater Lakes 16-10 and Miami Beach by forfeit. Leading the Wolverines were Xavier Caceres, Lucas Levy and Michael Weglarz.
Made possible by the Belen community, Lucas Osuna’s No.19 is now a fixture at the Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center. In April at a water polo tournament, Osuna suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died. He had an undiagnosed condition, according to reports.
More water polo
The Gulliver Prep boys’ water polo team defeated ATM 13-5 at the Lucas Osuna Memorial Tournament.
Senior captain Sebastian Piedra had 6 goals and 4 assists for the Raiders (2-2). Sophomore Jesse Manno had 4 goals,1 assist and 3 steals. Goalkeeper and senior co-captain Juan Sebastian made 6 saves and had 1 steal.
Prior, the Raiders defeated Coral Gables 15-4. Leading the team was Manno with 6 goals, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 earned exclusion. Sophomore Ale Altman added 3 goals,1 assist, 1 steal and 2 earned exclusions. Senior Jonas Schoenwald recorded 2 goals, 3 steals, 1 assist and 3 earned exclusions.
The Gulliver Prep girls’ water polo team defeated Miami Beach 16-0 at the tournament.
Senior captain Sophia Kingston totaled 5 goals and 2 steals, and senior co-captain Fernanda Cerqueira had 5 goals, 1 assist and 1 steal. Sophomore goalkeeper Sofia Beltran had 2 saves, 2 steals and 1 assist en route to her first shutout this season.
The Raiders (4-0) also beat Ransom Everglades 9-5 with 19 saves and 2 steals. Kingston had 5 goals and 2 steals, and senior Liz Sheehan added 2 goals.
Prior, Gulliver Prep defeated Miami Country Day 14-3. Kingston amassed 6 goals, 2 assists and 3 steals. Sophomore Emma Preston had 3 goals, 3 assists, 5 steals and 4 earned exclusions. Beltran made 9 saves with 4 steals and 1 assist.
The Raiders defeated Coral Gables 20-1 led by Kingston with 4 goals, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 earned exclusion. Junior Gaby Souza had 3 goals and 3 steals, and Beltran totaled 5 saves, 3 assists and 3 steals and scored 1 goal.
Send sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity sports results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. You will be alerted when it will appear.
Also, some will be considered athlete of the week nominations.
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Compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 12:25 PM.
