Meet The Ledger's All-County Cheer Team for 2023-24 season
The 2023-24 high school cheerleading season came with a lot of action that led to nifty athletes carrying out some well-executed moves.
The individual talent was able to come together for Lakeland, which was able to win a national championship at the UCA Nationals at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex for the second straight year, which is why longtime coach Crystal Abdon is The Ledger's 2024 Cheer Coach of the Year.
Bartow also went to nationals, claiming second place, which isn't too shabby. The program also racked up its 11th state title.
It's just been a stellar year all around for Polk's cheer schools and this year's honorees on the The Ledger's 2024 All-County Cheer team.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Bartow's Aubree Hays fulfills goal as back-to-back Cheerleader of the Year
CALLING IT A CAREER: Lori Joliff retires after two decades as Bartow cheer coach
'I WAS MOTIVATED TO WORK HARD': Lakeland freshman helps cheer team win 6th straight title
FLIPPING WITH JOY: Jose Buendia helps Lake Wales win first state cheer title
All-Polk County Cheerleader of the Year
Aubree Hays
Bartow
Flyer
After her four seasons at Bartow, Hays will be looked back upon as a seminal performer in the Bartow program. She embodied what it meant to be a team player and, according to coach Lori Joliff she was extremely coachable, coming to each practice with an attitude that is symbolic of a true team winner. She is an Nfinity All-American and also The Ledger's 2023 Cheerleader of the Year. She's currently a part of the Team USA Junior coed team that will compete in Worlds in Orlando in April. She also has a passion for being a cheerleader from the sideline to the competition mat.
All-Polk County Cheerleading Coach of the Year
Crystal Abdon
Lakeland
Abdon had another sensational year at Lakeland, as her team cemented a victory at nationals at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex its second in a row. In states, the Dreadnaughts claimed their sixth state title in a row in the Class 2A extra-large non tumbling division.
All-Polk County Cheerleading First Team
Tanyesheia Dale
Lakeland
Back spot
Darinese Newton
Lakeland
base
Sophia Wreshbig
Lakeland
top
Will Hutchinson
Lakeland
Base
Olivia Lacson
Bartow
Top
John Victor Acosta
Bartow
Base
Zarian Seay
Bartow
Base
Ryan Williams
Bartow
Spotter
Josh Petion
Winter Haven
Stunter
Karli Kibbee
Winter Haven
Flyer
Xiomara Gordon
Winter Haven
Base
Jada Simpson
Lake Wales
Side Base
Elijah Cesaire
Ridge Community
Base
Angelina Olsen
Auburndale
Base
All-Polk County Cheerleading Honorable Mention
Lakeland: Emma Geohagen (Top), Alyssa Harrel (Base), Maxine Chidyausiku (Back)
Bartow: Zy'keri McGowen, Paris Taylor, Kemonte Foster
Lake Wales: Cadence Kula, Ty Flint
Winter Haven: Aubrianna Payeur (Flyer), Joel Martinez (Stunter)
Auburndale: Katherine Ison
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet the Lakeland-area all-Polk County Cheer Team
