SARVER - The FCA Gems are aptly named.

The all-star competitive cheering organization, operated by Flo's Gymnastics here, which is owned by former Butler High School gymnast and cheerleader Flo Richey, won 11 of a possible 12 national titles this season.

The program consists of four teams and competed in three national competitions.

Head coach Jennifer Watterson, a 1999 Butler graduate and another former cheerleader, just completed her third year of guiding the program. When she got there, the program had 25 cheerleaders and two teams.

"We didn't have any self-confidence and our technique was bad," said Marissa Sorg, an original FCA Gems cheerleader. "We couldn't do much of anything."

Watterson changed all that.

"I had to undo a lot of bad habits when I first got here," she admitted. "That took a little time."

Last year, Watterson's second at the helm, the Gems had two teams, 45 cheerleaders and won their first national championship. The two teams were fourth grade and under and Senior Open.

"You could see the improvement each time we competed," said Richey, a cousin of Watterson's. "Our numbers began to grow as the word got out."

This year, the Gems had 86 cheerleaders and four teams: Pink Ice (second grade and under), Turquoise (grades two through six), Tanzanites (grades five through ) and Diamonds (grades five through 11).

They competed at the CTC American Masters in Baltimore Feb. 4-6, America Cheer Power in Columbus, Ohio, April 1-3 and the Cheer Nationals in Pittsburgh April 9-10.

Turquoise finished second in Columbus. Every other FCA Gems performance resulted in national titles. There were 91 teams at the Pittsburgh event, more than 300 teams in Baltimore and Columbus.

"We came within two points of going 12-for-12," Watterson said. "There's no reason why we won't be better next year. The coaches have another year's experience and so do the girls."

The Gems' accumulation of hardware in 2004-05 includes the following: 11 national titles,. six grand championships, three state championships, four high-point trophies and 23 first-place trophies.Whether they're better remains to be seen, but they'll definitely be bigger. The Gems anticipate doubling their roster size and expanding to seven teams next season.Watterson's older sister, Beth, another former Butler cheerleader, serves as her assistant coach and isn't surprised at the program's rapid rate of success."Jennifer knows how to motivate those girls," Beth Watterson said. "It's amazing. She loves them and cares about them and they know that.""They want to do well for her. We coaches wear shirts that say 'No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.' That's the philosophy around here."Beth Watterson said she was addicted to the sport of cheerleading when she was in high school."I got away from it for a while. Now I'm addicted again," she said.Jennifer Watterson believes in setting high goals for her program."Set a high standard, show the kids how to do it and they'll get there," she said. "I have faith in their learning power."The Gems have team members from 14 school districts: Kiski Area, Freeport, South Butler, Highlands, Butler, Deer Lakes, Ford City, Shaler, Seneca Valley, Mars, Leechburg, Lower Burrell, Plum and Penn Hills.Some girls from Clarion are planning to car-pool and compete for the Gems next year."If you're winning, they'll drive from anywhere," Coach Watterson said.Macey Buzanoski, a Butler Junior High cheerleader, has been with other all-star cheering organizations before joining the Gems this year."I saw them in competitions last year and they looked so good," Buzanoski said. "They were poised, they were confident. … Now that I'm here, I know why.""We all work so well together and everybody's into it. It's fun to accomplish something with such a large group performing at the same time."Watterson said all-star cheerleading is faster-paced than high school, tumbling requirements are higher and as many as 35 cheerleaders are on the floor at one time."They have to be totally in sync with each other - I mean it has to be perfect," Watterson said. "And you're performing to music all of the time."The Gems practice twice a week during the season, along with taking a required gymnastics class."We're not ego-driven coaches, either," Watterson said. "We're learning things right along with the kids. That's why I think we'll keep getting better."Watterson will graduate from Slippery Rock University next year with a degree in education. She hopes to find a teaching position upon graduation.She doesn't care who she teaches. She does care where."Kindergarten through high school, I'll teach at any level," she said. "I love all kids."I just have to stay in this area. I'm not leaving this program. I'll be here until they kick me out."The Gems are currently having tryouts for next year. visit flosgymnastics.com for details.

Here are the 86 cheerleaders composing the 11-time national champion FCA Gems competitive cheering organization based in Sarver:Meya Aikens, Allyson Comperatore, Chelsea Flinn, Hayle Fox, Amanda Hilliard, Breanna Kovalchik, Tori McGuire, Jenna Plutyyk, Madison Richey, Hailee Salander, Claire Signorella, Elise Signorella, Jenna Sorg, Deanna Webb, Ashley BaustertHope Beatty, Rebecca Beatty, Samantha Beer, Mara Carson, Cali Flinn, Cayce Fox, Mackenzie Fox, Jennifer Garrett, Amber Hepler, Kelsie Nicastro, Gabrielle Stanton, Brittany Weiss, Gabriella Zuccoloto, Kaitlin Andrasko, Madison ArcherSarah Becker, Tiffany Berry, Macey Buzanoski, Courtney Cashdollar, Carley Chiado, Nicole Chiado, Paige Clouse, Brittany Collett, Natalie Diller, Rebekah DiMartino, Paige Edwards, Amanda Gaige, Kylie Geagan, Ashley Godish, Sasha HarveyJoelle Houston, Caitlin Kennihan, Kaitln Krenn, Kelley Lyle, Morgan Meeder, Jessa Reimer, Ashley Reitler, Brianne Rotto, Channing Saul, Taylor Schrecengost, Emily Signorella, Jaimi Titus, Jordan Titus, Morgan Ventorini, Amanda BuirgeKourtney Cassidy, Ashley Chavez, Chelsey Clark, Nikki Espey, Rachel Faas, Brittany Fish, Candace Gartley, Jessica Jendrejewski, Missy Kearney, Tish Lattanzio, Mackenzie Mason, Jatara McGee, Lauren Morrison, Kirstie Naughton, Sarah NolleJocelyn Nulph, Kimmie Reitler, Sandy Roffol, Teija Rottman, Leanne Saiber, Jackie Shearrow, Britian Smith, Marissa Sorg, Lauren Ventoini, Colleen Wroblewski, Whitney Yaroshak