Old Rochester Regional High School's Red Squad Cheerleaders claimed a weekend victory, giving the girls a chance at a national win.

The squad, which is comprised of eighth and ninth graders, placed first in the New England Cheer and Dance Regional Competition in Boston on Saturday.

Head coach Patricia McArdle said the win came as quite a shock to the girls, given that the team was only recently formed.

The Red Squad was formed this year to give the younger girls a chance to cheer with the junior and senior members of the varsity squad, known as the Black Squad.

Despite being a new squad, the Red Squad's determination helped it capture first place at the regional competition, McArdle said.

"They were going in there to have a good time and to do their best," McArdle said. "They walked in there with confidence and they nailed their routine."

With the win, the girls are able to compete at the Walt Disney World cheerleading and dance event in February.

This is the first national competition for the squad, which McArdle said has the girls ecstatic.

"They are on cloud nine," she said.

Until February, the squad will be continue to practice three times a week. Despite the tough competition at nationals, McArdle said she is confident her girls can deliver.

"They know the nationals are going to be hard, but they don't care. They know it's going to be a great experience and they earned it," she said.

To help pay for the trip, McArdle said the squad will be planning fundraisers to be held over the next few months.