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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A local group of Pop Warner cheerleaders has cheered their way all the way to Disney.

The Monument Blizzard Cheerleaders have just returned from a regional competition where they earned first place.

The girls, who range in ages from 11-13, are now off to Orlando, Fla. to compete in Nationals where they hope to ice the competition.

"This is their first year as a team, first year as a cheer squad," Amanda Brasiel, head coach, said.

The girls have spent the season cheering on the Monument Blizzard Pop Warner Football team, but they've also been preparing for competitions.

"I like getting people pumped up," Abby Gordon, a sixth grader, said.

Cece Neuwirth, a fifth grader, agreed.

"I like having the football players pumped up when they're playing, and I think it's kind of a lucky charm for them," she said.

The girls have cheered their way into the hearts of the judges at States, Regionals, and are hoping to do the same at Nationals.

"I'm not surprised, I knew they could do it," Brasiel said.

The girls are looking forward to the trip.

"I'm really excited, I've never been to Florida and it's just gonna be a great experience, winning or losing," Gordon said.

The girls practice several times a week and said they've been putting in a lot of work.

"We did 70 pushups, 120 sit-ups, and then there's this thing called the side plank. We had to do 50 of those on each side," Gordon added.

Cheerleaders may be known for their sideline performances and perky smiles, but this team said cheerleading is more than that.

"It's so much more than that. It's about spirit, it's about dance, stunts, tumbling, it's a lot of gymnastic skills," Brasiel said.

And as far as cheerleading not being a sport? Don't bring that up in front of them.

"You're not throwing up a ball, or hitting a ball, you're tossing up girls, and you're holding them," Neuwirth said.

Gordon agreed.

"We have to go through a lot of work too. I mean we're the ones throwing up girls into the air, girls that are our weight or bigger," Gordon said.

The girls said all the hard work is worth it though.

"Hard work does pay off, a lot," Neuwirth said.

The team leaves for Florida on Monday and win or lose they do get free passes to Disney World.

Despite a few butterflies, the team said they are ready to show the judges what Blizzard spirit is all about.

"I'm so proud. It's been such a journey and we've come such a long way," Brasiel said. "I love them."

If you would like to help with their travel expenses, click here.