Repeat! 4 Eagles Cheer Squads Make Nationals Again

For the second year in a row, the Edgewood Eagles Cheerleaders have four teams ready to compete in the National Pop Warner Championship at Disney World in mid-December.

The Jr. Midget, PeeWee and Varsity Level 1 teams won championship trophies at the New England Regionals held on Nov. 9 and 16th at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Mass. 

Also earning a spot at nationals was the Varsity Level 3 team, which finished second in the region, earning them a spot for a national title at Disney World.

"I could not be more proud of my girls, the coaching staff and their parents," said Lori Sweeney, the Eagles' cheer coordinator.  

Since 2008, the Eagles have consistently brought teams to the national championship. Last year, they brought home two national titles and two finalist spots. The varsity also earned "Best Stunting Team in America" recognition in their division. 

"This year we are hoping to take first at all levels," Sweeney, also a Cranston Police sergeant, said.

But getting to nationals isn't just about training hard and performing well. It takes money. The cost of sending all four teams to Florida? A whopping $80,000.

The team of 93 girls and 1 boy are from 10- to 15-years-old and are fundraising as hard as they can, but there's only so much they can do. A kid's got to go to school, too!

So they're asking for the public's help. Donations can be sent to an account at BankRI. Make checks payable to BankRI, care of Edgewood Eagles Cheer Travel, 1074 Park Ave., Cranston RI 02910.

Nationals  runs the week of Dec. 10 to 14.

The Edgewood Eagles is a nonprofit organization, so any donation is tax deductible.