Wolfpack Cheerleaders Make Their Mark

Just 5 years old, the FishHawk Wolfpack Cheerleaders organization already is making a big impression on the field and in competition.

According to Wolfpack Cheerleaders coordinator Patti Rendon, the Wolfpack organization is unique because it emphasizes fun and scholastics as well as athletic skills.

"Members are honored for their grades, and we get them involved in service projects, such as an annual breast cancer project in which they sell pink T-shirts and wear pink to honor breast cancer victims," said Rendon.

The FishHawk Wolfpack organization consists of 400 children including 100 cheerleaders, age 5 to 14.

Last Thanksgiving weekend, three squads -- the Junior Midget Cheer Squad, the Peewee Dance Squad and the Junior Peewee Dance Squad -- participated in the Southeast Regional Pop Warner Competition consisting of squads from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The Wolfpack Junior Midget squad came in sixth place; the Peewee squad first place and the Junior Peewee squad brought home a second place.

The Junior Peewee and Peewee squads then headed to national competition at Walt Disney World Dec. 8 where the Junior Peewee squad earned a second place and the Peewee squad came in third.

"Being such a young organization, these girls did an incredible job," said Rendon. "It's really due to their dedication and a lot of support from the FishHawk community."

Meredith Ingrid coaches the Junior Peewee squad and Katie Trammel and Meredith Calvalakin coach of the Peewee squad.

"We'd love to have more girls join," said Rendon, noting that the cheerleaders come from the FishHawk Ranch, Riverview, Valrico and Bloomingdale areas.

She added that the squads abide by Pop Warner rules, which limit practices to six hours a week. The registration fee is $230 before Aug. 1 and $250 and girls are provided uniforms.

The game season runs from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31. "And we may continue into December if we qualify for competition," said Rendon.

For information, call Rendon at 727-580-7147 or visit the Wolfpack website.