With hundreds of teams throughout the country competing for a shot at a national title, Manahawkin’s own Southern Rams American Youth Cheerleaders came out on top.

After qualifying at the local and regional levels, two Southern Rams youth cheer teams advanced to the American Youth Cheer National Championships just outside Orlando, Fla., in December.

Both teams placed in the top five in their divisions, which was no easy task considering they were up against 13 other teams from across the country.