Photos courtesy of Doug Garrett
The Plant City Raiders varsity cheer team performed to perfection this weekend at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports, where they became the 2025 Small NT D1 Champions, Small NT WSCC World Champions, and Grand World Champions. This special trifecta was not only the first time done in the history of Plant City High School, but it was also the first time any team in Hillsborough County completed it.
Dylan: Walk me through how you qualified for Nationals and Worlds in the first place.
Coach Skotti: We qualify for Nationals every year by attending a UCA Regional competition and receiving a certain placement or score. We won our division at the UCA Florida Regional back in December, which gave us a bid to UCA Nationals.
For Worlds, the top three teams in each division from Nationals the previous year qualify to compete the following year. Our third place finish at Nationals in 2024 allowed us to qualify to compete in the World School division this season.
Dylan: Was this the first time Plant City has won Nationals and Worlds?
Skotti: Yes!
Dylan: Can you explain the feeling of hearing Plant City announced for first place for Nationals?
Skotti: It was absolutely surreal. We have been so close to winning a National Title the past two seasons but had fallen just short of that goal due to our own errors in the Finals. To finally accomplish what we have worked for and dreamt of for so long is indescribable. As a coach, I was just overwhelmed with happiness for my girls – they are so deserving.
Dylan: How did the girls score, and what was the maximum score they could have gotten?
Skotti: We scored a 91.6 at Worlds and a 92.2 raw score at Nationals, with a 1-point deduction that put us at a 91.2. Scoring is out of 100, and there are three separate scoresheet sections that you are judged on – cheer, building (stunting), and overall.
Dylan: After winning nationals, were there fewer nerves heading into worlds?
Skotti: Absolutely. We just wanted to go out on the floor and get one final hit as a team, for each other and for our seniors. It was the most calm we’ve ever felt going into a performance, and they put such a beautiful routine on the floor.
Dylan: After awards for Worlds, they announced the city girls with another accolade. What was it?
Skotti: Grand World Champions. Of all the World School teams in our session, which included other teams from the USA as well as teams from all over the world, we had the highest score. We didn’t even know this award existed, so we were so excited to be recognized!
Dylan: Do you believe the team will have a different level of confidence heading into next season after such a successful winning weekend?
Skotti: Yes, but each team has to write their own story and experience their own journey. Next year’s team will have to earn every single goal they set. We always say, nobody cares that you’re Plant City Cheer, you have to earn what you want and prove you deserve to be the best.
Dylan: Do you want to thank the coaching staff and seniors?
Skotti: Yes!
I am so grateful for our coaching staff. My sister, Sara Kate, who is literally the other half of my brain and who I couldn’t do this without. We are the perfect complement to one another when it comes to coaching. My mom, Karen Snapp, took over this program over 10 years ago and paved the way for us to start coaching and be in this position. Our amazing Cala Hogan who runs our JV program and also supports Varsity in every way; we are so grateful for her. We also have THE best athletic trainer, Jasmine Griffin, who takes such attentive care of our girls.
Our seven seniors, there are no words to describe them. They were the absolute best class to lead this team to these accomplishments. They were passionate, hardworking, so committed and dedicated, bought into our process, held themselves and the underclassmen to the high expectations and standards we set, and led with so much love. It has been an absolute privilege to coach them, and we are going to miss them so incredibly much. Their legacy will be cherished forever!
