The Freedom Patriots competition cheerleading squad got a huge boost last weekend with a first place victory in the Level 4 Division, and an overall grand champion victory at the Mardi Gras Cheerleading Competition in Hershey, Pa.

The Pates are currently on their way to Disneyworld, where they will compete at the Americheer International Competition March 13-16.

"We always like Mardi Gras because we are four-time returning champs," said Freedom cheerleader, Sarah Callahan.

Although the Patriots have been competing all season, adjustments were made to their routine the week before.

"We switched our pyramid, and we also had a fill-in for someone who was injured. We all had to pull together. We did our best at encouraging each other. We had a few things that went wrong, and other squads did well, but the little things we did right, put us on top," Callahan said.

The routine the Patriots performed at Mardi Gras was different than that from the District XI competition, which followed UCA rules, in level of difficulty and pace.

"It was a lot more difficult than districts, and it was fast-paced, and we removed the cheer," said Callahan.

The updated routine also had music throughout.

"Leading up to Mardi Gras, it was like we fit a whole season into a week. Everyone stepped up. We feel prepared [for Disneyworld], definitely," Callahan said.