An 8-year-old girl from Florida performed alone at a cheer competition when her team failed to show up and won first place.
“I was afraid of everything and I was very nervous,” said Peyton Thorsby.
Peyton performed the routine alone in front of a crowd of several hundred at the Showcase of Championships cheer competition at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
“No one had come for any reason, and in the end it was she who showed up, so her coach, Nikki, said, ‘Looks like we might have to give up,'” mom Nichole Thorsby told FOS 13.
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Peyton Thorsby appears in shock after winning the first place trophy for her solo performance in the cheer competition. (Nichole Thorsby)
Despite her team being absent, Peyton didn’t want to disappoint them.
“I didn’t really want my team to be disappointed because I didn’t go out and show up for them, so I made my decision. I wanted to go there and I wanted to make my family proud and stuff.” my friends are proud of me,” said Peyton.
She finished with the first prize, beating two other teams.
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Photo collage of Peyton Thorsby at the cheer competition. (Nichole Thorsby)
“Me and her coaches just cried our eyes out. I just couldn’t believe it, but just to see her there alone. She’s amazing,” her mom said.
Peyton hopes her performance inspires other kids to not be afraid.
“Jesus says I have to be brave, so I just went out and was brave and got the trophy,” said Peyton.
Peyton Thorsby smiles after winning the Florida cheer competition. (Nichole Thorsby)
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Peyton’s solo performance made headlines not long after Katrina Kohel, a 17-year-old senior at Morrill High School, also performed her cheer routine alone at the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Competition.
Fox News’ Gretchen Eichenberg contributed to this report.