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Marco members of the winning Top Gun team, from left, are Carissa Bailey, Josie Miller, Vanessa Grisko and Francesca Ianotta.

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In the world of cheerleading, Top Gun is top notch.

They proved it in Atlanta recently when the Top Gun All Star Juniors took home the first place trophy in the Cheer Sport National Championship. The team competed against nine teams from around the country to bring home the award.

The Atlanta competition was the largest cheerleading competition ever held in the United States. The two-day event hosted 19,000 cheerleaders, representing 825 teams.

The winning team consists of six Marco Island girls, including Vanessa Grisko, Francesca Iannotta, and Josie Miller from Marco Island Charter Middle School and Sommer Adams, Lauren Hanscom, and Danielle Pipitone from Tommie Barfield Elementary.

Coach John Bencomo couldn’t be happier with the win as months of hard work paid off for the team.

“I am so proud of the girls,” Bencomo said. “They are really amazing for their age. They have really improved. I have seen this program help the girls build self esteem, as well as their cheerleading skills.”

Bencomo has an extensive background in cheerleading. After cheering at Miami Dade Community College and the University of Kentucky, he joined Top Gun in Miami as a coach. He then brought his expertise from Miami to build Top Gun teams in the Marco area. The Naples branch, which has 80 cheerleaders on four teams, has been operating for six years.

The girls are benefiting from his experience.

“I’ve been with Top Gun for four years,” Vanessa Grisko said. “Before that, I was with Foxy Elite here on Marco for two years. This has been a great experience for me. It’s given me confidence, and taught me responsibility. When we arrived at the convention center in Atlanta, everyone was looking at us and saying, ‘Top Gun is here.’ I knew we were going to do good because we were confident and focused. Then we won first place and we were all so excited we were crying. It was the best feeling ever!”

Teammate Francesca Ianotta has been with Top Gun for five years.

“I like everything about cheering with Top Gun,” she said. “Before a competition, I feel nervous and excited. I expected us to do well in Atlanta. It felt a little overwhelming, but we are used to the crowds.”

The elementary-age students who cheer with Top Gun are equally as excited about their experience. They all mentioned another aspect of cheering, the glamour. Sommer Adams, who started cheering while in kindergarten, joined Top Gun in second grade.

“We get a lot of exercise and I like to tumble,” Sommer said. “We really like getting ready for the competition. Our parents help us put on our makeup and curl our hair. It makes me feel glamorous.”

Danielle Pipitone started cheering when she was five years old.

“Our team is really good because we have a lot of experience,” she said. “We all practiced so much, but the fun part was going to the competition and winning first place.”

Another member of the winning team is Lauren Hanscom. Her perseverance and commitment to the team helped them win second place at Sea World. She competed, despite sustaining an injury right before the competition.

“Just before we went on stage, while we were doing our warm ups, I sprained my thumb,” Hanscom said. “It hurt, but I didn’t want to let my team down. I’m a flyer, which means I fly about 15 feet in the air. Sommer is my base, and two other girls catch me in a cradle. It’s really fun.”

The Top Gun program impresses Lauren’s father, Rick.

“These girls are champions,” he said. “They are dedicated and have won several championships. They are dedicated gymnasts who practice three days a week, year round. The competitions come about every two weeks from December through March. They travel to many cities, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Atlanta.”

Gary Grisko, father of Vanessa, is also pleased with the program.

“These kids make a lot of sacrifices and at the same time, have lots of fun,” he said. “Vanessa started with another program, but switched to Top Gun, which operates at a much higher level. Who would have known when Vanessa was six years old that she would be doing back flips across the room?”

The program helps build character, with a focus on excellence, and improving life skills.

“The girls must keep their grades up, otherwise no Top Gun,” Gary Grisko added. “The coaches also put a lot of focus on good sportsmanship. The motto of the team is, ‘You don’t win championships at tournaments — you win them at practice.’”

Other Marco Island Top Gun members are Alyssa Stolinas, Adrienne Collins, Maggie Wilkins, and sisters Cassie and Brielle Penzo, who is only five years old.

“I’ve been on the Top Gun team for two years,” Penzo said. “I like cheerleading and performing for other people. It’s fun getting ready by fixing up our hair and putting on the makeup. My biggest fan is my sister, Cassie.”