Champions in Motion LC3-Chaos cheer team earned a first-place finish at the NYA Association Cheerleading Nationals in Level 4 competition. Universal Event Photography

A cheerleading squad made up of 18 members representing Lee County took home top honors at a national competition in Columbus, Ohio last week.

The Champions in Motion LC3-Chaos cheer team earned a first-place finish at the NYA Association Cheerleading Nationals in Level 4 competition. The squad is made up of youth ages 8 to 15 that call Cape Coral, Lehigh, and Fort Myers home.

“This team has been through a lot, especially with the hurricane,” said head coach Gabrielle Wojcik, adding that the team formed in August of 2022. “It’s just been a year-long journey with them with a bunch of highs and lows throughout the season. To see it pay off with a monumental win was just extremely rewarding.”

Champions in Motion was created more than 35 years ago and is designed to provide cheerleading and other sports opportunities to youths who might not otherwise be able to take part for financial or other reasons.

They work with youths around the county to provide those that wish to participate in the sport the opportunity to do so.

LC3-Chaos Level 4 is the top program with the most advanced level athletes, and they showed just what they’re made of on a national stage. Their winning score of 26.35 led the pack as they danced, lifted, and tumbled their way to a title.

“Genuinely, I’ve been a coach for going on seven years now, this group of athletes is just very special,” Wojcik said. “They’re extremely committed, and have a sense of sportsmanship unlike anything I’ve seen as a coach.”

The road to nationals saw LC3-Chaos take home two first place finishes at state-level competition to earn their bid to Columbus. The girls practice every Sunday at Top Gun Cheerleading Training Center in Fort Myers, perfecting their craft as much as they can in a few hours.

“We try and keep costs low and time so families can accommodate whatever the cases may be,” Wojcik said.

Hurricane Ian, as it did to countless across Southwest Florida, disturbed the team’s season both on and off the mat. Wojcik said they lost three athletes after the storm as their families had to relocate. The obstacles they faced didn’t stop them from working their way to the top spot.

“They are just a driven group of athletes and so special,” Wojcik said. “To see their dedication pay off, especially with the hurricane — families were impacted by that. Things of that nature have pushed them to where they are today.”

Wojick coaches the team alongside her husband Cameron.

The full LC3-Chaos team consists of:

• Anette Romero,10, of Lehigh

• Armani Pierre, 9, of Fort Myers

• Ava McCorquodale, 12, of Lehigh

• Cameron Demos, 11, of Cape Coral

• Fallon Leach, 12, of Lehigh

• Izabella Sims, 8, of Lehigh

• Jaylee McArdle, 13, of Cape Coral

• Joleena Spainhoward, 15, of Lehigh

• Kaiah Early, 11, of Lehigh

• Kayla Robertson, 15, of Lehigh

• Keira Cameron, 14, of Lehigh

• Leiyah Smith, 9, of Lehigh

• MacKenzie Demos, 13, of Cape Coral

• MaKenzie Smith, 12, of Lehigh

• Marissa Wimbish, 11 of Lehigh

• Nora Hammonds, 13, of Cape Coral

• Paislee Hennecy, 8, of Lehigh

• Sha’Mari Holmes, 9, of Lehigh

For more information on Champions in Motion, visit championsinmotion.com.