By Kyle Coppola
Leesburg’s Vicky Scurti Shines as UF Cheerleader, Wins National Title
Leesburg High School graduate Victoria “Vicky” Scurti had always dreamed of being a cheerleader. Growing up in Leesburg, Florida, she was coached by Leesburg High Cheerleading coach Roz Castile, who instilled in her a love for the sport and a drive to succeed. Vicky’s journey took her through the Cambridge AICE program at Leesburg High, where she excelled academically and athletically. She was dual-enrolled with Lake-Sumter State College, earning her High School Diploma and Associate’s Degree upon graduating.
(“Every day I pushed myself to do better than my last practice. I always found myself watching the team veterans in hope of learning something new as well as taking advice from my two amazing coaches. Outside of designated practice times, I practiced our routine in my apartment living room independently. I did this to make sure I was the best version of myself for my team when it was time for nationals.” says Vicky. Photo Credit – NCA Photographer)
But it was not always easy for Vicky. When she first started cheerleading a few years ago she couldn’t even call a cheer. “She didn’t know how to do many things when she began cheering, but she put in an incredible amount of work to better herself. It was amazing the progress she made in such a short amount of time. She eventually became one of the best cheer students to ever come through Leesburg High.” says Leesburg coach Roz Castile. “She was always just as focused on academics as she was on athletics. Her focus and determination is something everyone can look up to.” says coach Castile.
(From humble roots as a Leesburg cheerleader to winning on the biggest stage in College athletics. Vicky Scurti is a true success story. If you work hard enough anything is possible. Photo credit – Jennifer Fox.)
With her sights set on higher challenges, Vicky pursued her dreams of competing in competitive cheerleading at the University of Florida, joining their highly competitive cheerleading team who compete on the highest level. Balancing the rigorous academic workload of a double major in Criminology and Sociology on the Pre-Law Track with the demands of being on one of the top cheer teams in the nation was no easy feat. Early morning workouts, late-night practices, and endless dedication characterized Vicky’s journey with the UF Cheerleading team.
(Vicky maintains a 4.0 GPA at the University of Florida while also being a part of the cheerleading program. Photo Credit – Abhik C. Shil)
“Every day I pushed myself to do better than my last practice. I always found myself watching the team veterans in hope of learning something new as well as taking advice from my two amazing coaches. Outside of designated practice times, I practiced our routine in my apartment living room independently. I did this to make sure I was the best version of myself for my team when it was time for nationals. In the end, all of the work and hours spent paid off when I heard our team placed first at the NCA Nationals Competition,” says Vicky.
(Here Vicky performs with the University of Florida. The team would go on to win the NCA National Championship.)
Her hard work paid off when she and her team achieved a remarkable milestone – winning the National Cheer Association Championship. Vicky’s 4.0 GPA at UF reflected not only her academic excellence but also her unwavering commitment to her team and her sport. Reflecting on this achievement, Vicky said, “Being on the first cheerleading team in University of Florida history to win an NCA title means the world to me. This win is for the little girl inside of me who dreamed of being a cheerleader one day. This win is for my teammates and coaches who worked endlessly to get us here. This win is for my friends and family who supported my cheerleading journey, and of course, this win is for the Leesburg community to show that all dreams are possible if you want them bad enough,” says Vicky.
(The University of Florida Cheerleading Team who won the NCA National Championship. Vicky stands on the second row just right of the trophy. Photo Credit – Alice Zhang)
Vicky’s success wasn’t just about winning a trophy; it was a testament to her perseverance and determination. She emphasized the importance of remembering one’s roots and remaining grateful for the journey. “Success will not come easy, but something worth it never does. Remembering where you are from is the most important thing I want to pass on to young women finding success. Remembering your roots helps you remain grateful for the journey you’ve endured. It keeps you grounded, reminding you of the struggles and efforts that got you to where you are. The success is not only for you but also for the ones around you who have supported you or admired you so do not forget that,” she remarked, offering advice to young athletes aspiring to similar heights of achievement.
(Vicky shows off her National Championship jacket. She will forever get to say that she is a national champion. As is tradition, the winning team jumps into the Atlantic Ocean after the win at Daytona Beach.)
For Vicky, winning the National Cheerleading Association Championship was not just a personal triumph but also a tribute to her hometown of Leesburg and the supportive community that shaped her. Her journey from a young cheerleader in Lake County to a National Champion at the University of Florida is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and never giving up on one’s dreams. Lake County and Leesburg couldn’t be prouder of Vicky’s accomplishments, knowing that she represents the very essence of a student-athlete – someone who excels both on and off the field.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
