BARTOW, FL - From the moment Bartow cheer head coach Lori Jolliff says “Here we go, get set,” her Yellow Jackets are laser focused.

The goal is simple – be perfect.

“We’re Bartow and it’s a standard that was made in the past but we continue to uphold that legacy,” says senior top girl Madison Holland.

That standard is nine state championships and as of last weekend five-time national champions.

“Look around this room,” said senior Trey Elliott.  All these and all this here is Bartow cheer, this building right here is Bartow cheer, everyone in this room is Bartow cheer.

The tradition of winning has been going on for well over a decade. Assistant coach Ronzail Walker was part of the early success and knows what separates Bartow cheer from everyone else.

“The skill and hard work – it’s not just the skill, but the hard work and dedication that these athletes continue to put in even outside the practice room,” said Walker. “They go to open gym and they stunt with each other outside.”

“Every single one of them have overcome adversities or are committed to being here long hours,” said Jolliff.  “I mean, it’s not easy being part of Bartow cheer.”

If it were easy everyone would do it. But it’s not just the expectation of winning on the mat. The coaches want each of their athletes to look beyond high school to a life filled with achieving dreams and giving back.

“We always say ‘Be Bartow’ and what that means is how are you going to be in the classroom, how are going to be in the community, how are you going to be on the competition mat?” said Jolliff.

“When we do something we’re going to do it with a purpose and we’re going to make it count,” said Holland.

That message drives each member of the cheer squad to push to be better, so that one day they can come back and tell they next group of Yellow Jackets that anything is possible.