A local cheerleading squad has worked its way to a national competition. Now they just need some help actually getting there.

The Pop Warner Bennett’s Creek Warriors cheerleading squad, made up of 18 girls ages 11-15, won first place in the regional Pop Warner competition in Charlotte, N.C. during the Thanksgiving weekend. That win followed a first-place win in their division at a local competition on Oct. 28.

Now, their sights are set on the national competition at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. They qualified for the national competition based on their first-place win at the regional competition.

However, the girls still are looking for donations to help ease the cost of the expenses. It will cost about $700 per girl for their room, Disney pass, transportation and food.

The team has already raised $200 per girl by working hard raising money. They held a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s, which brought in $1,800. Another $1,600 came in through selling doughnuts. But the squad still needs about $12,000 to get there, said Amanda Lyons, the head coach of the Warriors.

“They’ve worked hard for it,” said Lyons. “They practice three nights a week.

“They hit everything the way they were supposed to (at the competition).”

In addition to practices and competitions, the girls cheer for a football team, the Pop Warner Bennett’s Creek Warriors. They also juggle their regular schoolwork and family time.

Nicole Maus, 12, who attends John F. Kennedy Middle School, is excited about her team going to the national competition.

“We’re really excited,” she said. “We worked really hard for what we did. We appreciate our coaches and all they’ve done for us.

“The team is so close that if we don’t win, we still love each other and have the friendships. We’re all best friends. It’s kinda cool being a member of this team.”

Anyone who wants to make a donation to help the Warriors cheerleaders get to the national competition can call Amanda Lyons, head coach, at 292-8760.

tracy.agnew@suffolknewsherald.com