Their biggest honor was earning first place in the Small Team Midget Division, in which they competed with other top teams from throughout the country. "Midget," despite its name, is for 11- through 15-year-olds and is the oldest age bracket in which girls can be cheerleaders at local games and at local, regional and national competitions held by the Pop Warner Football Association.

"It was almost like it was not real. It was amazing!" exclaims 12-year-old Fisher Middle Schooler Jordan Corey, a new member of the Los Gatos Pop Warner team who already was given—by her coaching staff, not at the competition—her team's "Most Spirited" award.

Before a team can even think about competing in nationals, as the girls call it, it must qualify by earning high enough marks in a graduated series of autumn competitions including invitational, conference and regional. It so happens the Los Gatos team didn't just place well, but placed first in each of these events.

"Our team excels at showmanship. The commitment and dedication of the girls is very strong," says athletic director Irma Zelina of Los Gatos. "Practice is taken very seriously. Some teams set their goals mainly on having a good time. Our team sets their goals on nationals."

The second reason this December's victory was significant is because during last year's nationals, the Los Gatos Midget team was penalized over a technicality in the music to which they did their dancing and acrobatic routines. That penalty knocked them out of contention for a first, second or third place title.

"We've been preparing for this for so long! Ever since last year, when we lost at nationals, we've been preparing to win again. I'm very competitive—I don't like to settle for second place," says Julia Cone, a Los Gatos High School sophomore and Pop Warner cheerleader for seven years.

"I'm in Pop Warner mainly because of the people," she adds. "You make so many friends. In the beginning of the season, you might not know the girls at all, but by the end of the year you're like sisters. And winning competitions together is just amazing!"

Her best friend Michelle Zelina agrees, calling it "the best feeling in the world!" to hear one's team announced as the winner. Michelle, who just completed her fourth year of cheering, also shares Julia's enthusiasm for competition, which might be why both girls earned the "Most Pride" award from their coaching staff.

"I caught on to cheering fast and I fell in love with the sport. I also have a competitive gene!" Michelle says with a chuckle.

Perhaps there is a genetic connection among the Zelinas, as Michelle's 12-year-old sister, Anneliese, cheers with her; the girls' father, Bill Zelina, serves as head coach; and their mother, Irma, is athletic director.

Irma says her husband is "so into sports" that when the couple had daughters instead of sons, he felt a little let down. When the girls got involved in Pop Warner cheering, however, all that changed.

"Bill was jazzed to see all the sportsmanship and athleticism involved," Irma says with a knowing smile. "A Pop Warner cheer competition is just as important and exciting as any football game!"

For more information about joining Pop Warner as a football player or cheerleader, call 408.920.2204 or visit www.lgpw.com.