ORLANDO — When Cassidy Claypoole was 3, she was introverted and shy.

When she was asked her name, she only responded with the word, “Baby.”

Now, nearly 15 years later, Claypoole is expressive and confident.

Cheerleading did that for her.

Now the Moniteau senior is doing what she never thought possible at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was 3 years old,” Claypoole said. “This is a huge deal for me.”

Claypoole and her Warrior teammates will take the stage at 11:43 a.m. Saturday to do their Medium Varsity Division II routine — one they have practiced since the summer and one that led them to a District 9 championship last month.

The time and exertion it has taken to get to this point is evident to Claypoole.

“I go to a chiropractor twice a week,” Claypoole said, chuckling. “I get massages and I do stretches all the time and all that jazz to keep my body ready. We do a lot of flips that gymnasts do.”

Claypoole said in many way cheerleading made her the person she is today.

“It has been my escape,” she said. “When life gets tough with school and the drama that girls often have to deal with in high school, I can escape the scary world.”

Claypoole plans on trying out for the competitive cheerleading squad at Slippery Rock University next year.

For now, she's focused on continuing to make history.

Moniteau is only in its third season of competitive cheer and this is its first trip to nationals.

Butler, Seneca Valley and Freeport also have teams in Orlando to compete this weekend.

“It shows that we have a bright future,” said Moniteau competitive cheerleading coach Jacqie Tedeski. “We set goals. Our goal is to make it into the semifinals, but our ultimate goal is to get to the finals. We feel prepared.”

Claypoole credited her coaches, which include assistants Melissa DeMatteis, Grant Grasha and Kelly Rugg, with their quick rise.

“Our coaches tell us what to do and they are great,” Claypoole said. “They are the reason why we made it this far.”

Butler, the PIAA runner-up in the Small Varsity Coed division, will compete at 8:16 a.m. Saturday.

Seneca Valley, a Large Varsity Division I entrant, competes at 5:33 p.m. Saturday, and Freeport, a Small Varsity Division I team, goes on at 10:24 a.m.