Florida Top Dog Cheerleading Squad is Best in the Nation

Florida Top Dog All Stars lived up to its name last weekend, taking home first and second place finishes in a national cheerleading competition last weekend in Orlando.

Teams from the Starkey Road gym had earned two of the 107 paid bids to the Summit, a competition that is equivalent to a world championship meet. There were 340 teams total from all over the country, broken up into divisions and categories based on age and skill level.

Top Dog's Junior Co-ed 3 team finished second in its division, while the Co-ed 4 team took home the first place prize at the two-day event.

"It's pretty cool because some of the teams there hadn't lost all year," Top Dog co-owner Terri Abasial told Patch. "So this is a pretty big deal for us."

Abasial, who owns the gym with her husband, Rick, said they have won many state and national titles in the facility's 13-year history.

What makes winning these banners so special is the fact that the Summit was formed specifically this year in order to have the best teams in the country compete against each other on a large stage.

And unlike the sport's world championships, this event allowed competitors from every level go head to head with the best in the nation.

"Cheerleading worlds is the top event, but it's only for level-five competitors, and many athletes never get to that level," Abasial explained.

"The Summit allows athletes who will never make it to that level experience what it's like to compete against the best talent in the country."

Abasial said the teams and coaches were still buzzing about their performances days later, but there is little time to bask in the glow of their victories.

While the Summit marked the end of the competition season, Top Dog is already holding tryouts for next season, which starts this summer.

"Tryouts are in May, they train all through the summer and then competition season starts in December and can run until, well, now," Abasial said.

Not that anyone is complaining; the year-round schedule is par for a program where everyone wants to be the best.

"I truly feel blessed that God has given us amazing coaches and athletes who are passionate and dedicated to the sport," Abasial said. 

"That's what makes our success even more special."

Florida Top Dog All Stars

Address: 1200 Starkey Rd, Ste 210, Largo

Phone: 727-585-7777

Info: www.floridatopdog.com

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