Summit 2025

In late April, it was time once again for the final cheer competition of the 2025-2026 season. The Spartans were ready to take on the Summit competition at Disney World in Orlando! First up, the Summit Showcase at the Woodlands Elite Katy gym where all the teams would perform for family and friends. The Spartans showed up and looked amazing!

Jeff was tied up helping Connor move out of the dorms in Alabama, so Kaitlynn and I set off for Orlando and the last competition for the Spartans. We decided this year to spend our downtime exploring the Orlando shopping scene, and we really enjoyed the time together in between practices and performances. Competing at ESPN Wide World of Sports is such a privilege, and the Spartans were so excited and ready for their time to shine.

Meanwhile, Jeff and Connor had a long 10-hour drive from Tuscaloosa to Katy amidst some terrible thunderstorms half the drive home. Not fun, but thankfully they made it home safely.

On Day 1 of competition, the Spartans were excited and ready. The ESPN site was insanely packed, and the traffic getting to the venue was as bad as we've ever seen. It was so backed up that many poor girls  and families were walking in the 90+ degree heat alongside the highway to try to make their meet times. Luckily, Kaitlynn and I arrived with plenty of time to spare and meet up with fellow Spartans for the performance. When their time came, they took to the stage and performed flawlessly, one of their most beautiful routines! The professional photos turned out great, too. Kaitlynn was elated with their routine!

Much later in the day, the results from Day 1 were announced online on Varsity TV. We were in our hotel room awaiting the outcome. Imagine our complete shock when the Spartans were the very last team to be called for Finals. Do you know what this means? Spartans were in FIRST PLACE after Day 1!! WOW!!! Kaitlynn was beside herself and cried with disbelief and excitement!

It's an incredible amount of pressure going into Day 2 as the 1st place team from Day 1. Kaitlynn was nervous but excited for their performance. Their Day 2 routine looked beautiful. It wasn't quite as flawless as Day 1, but would it be enough to win? The girls were cautiously optimistic as the time for awards approached.

To make it to the Winner's Circle at Summit is an absolutely incredible feat. When the Spartans were named as a tie for 2nd place, of course there was disappointment but Kaitlynn and I felt incredibly lucky that their Day 2 performance was enough for the 2nd place title. Knowing that it hadn't been their best performance, it was an honor to attend the Winner's Circle festivities and celebrate alongside other deserving teams and athletes. Taking home a silver Summit banner was an amazing accomplishment, and Kaitlynn was thrilled!

Closing this Spartans chapter of Kaitlynn's cheer career was yet another bittersweet moment that she would remember fondly with countless memories and friendships that were the biggest blessing in this world of all-star cheer. But there was no time to revel in the season or relax after Summit, because tryouts for next season were right around the corner!