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Cheerleader Team Aims for National Championship
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, SYSO Cheerleading held its annual showcase at Somers Intermediate School. With a gym full of enthusiastic parents, 147 athletes from six age groups took center stage. Those include the Tiny Tuskers (K-2), D8, D10 small, D10 large, and D12, but the 14D finale served as a preview of bigger things to come in early December.
Third place last year in the American Youth Cheerleader nationals, said Caroline Papa, “We’re trying for first.”
Coached by Jacqueline Cavuoto and Stephanie Sullivan, the girls know the drill. “We need to focus 100% on our routines, and we need to trust each other,” said Papa.
A function of all the hard work, synergy is the end result. “We spend so much time together,” said Papa. “It just clicks.”
The family way then makes the commitment all the easier. “I love these girls like my sisters,” Papa said.
Avianna Botticelli exemplifies the sentiment. Hurt, she won’t be competing in Orlando, but her heart still soars for the team. “I’m happy for them,” she said. “They’ve been my best friends for my whole life.”
Among them, Charlotte Cavuoto understands the stamina required at the base and all the training. At the same time, she marvels at the daily commitment of the whole team. “It’s something that is unbelievable,” said Cavuoto.
In agreement, Emma Quinones never shies away from taking flight. “You really have to push through and make sure you’re always up there,” assured the flier.
Not so easy, and the difficulty was proven on a throw and catch that looked a little perilous. The play made, the girls simply look ahead. “We tell each other, if you mess up, physically fix it the next time," said Quinones.
Still, she’s the one carrying the load, and there’s more to success than trust. “It takes 110% courage,” she said.
But there’s more help from down below to boost the confidence above. “We have special cues we say when they are in the air,” said Tessa Sullivan. “It helps the flier focus and get the right mindset.”
Making it look easy, the cheers from the crowd never fall on deaf ears, according Jianah Rosa. “It’s so exciting and fun,” she said. “it motivates me to keep growing with my team.”
A necessity since the level of play keeps going up. “Every year it gets harder,” said Camryn Tierney. But that’s what the Tuskers hope the other teams are saying after they bring home national gold in early December.
As for the youngers, Cheer Commissioner Kelly Rudyk reports incredible accomplishments for all the teams. First the Tiny Tuskers competed in the Tusker Rumble on Nov. 1 and made everyone proud, according to Rudyk.
Furthermore, the D8 3rd grade, D10 4th grade, D10 5th grade, and D12 6th and 7th grade teams all took the floor in Mahopac, Carmel, Yorktown, and at the Westchester County Center. They secured a number of trophies and wowed judges and crowds alike.
“We saw incredible accomplishments for all of our teams,” concluded Rudyk.
Tusker Cheerleaders Rise on Game Day and Beyond
On October 29, the Somers Cheerleading Team took second place in the Somers Game Day Competition. “It was a great moment for us,” said Cassidy Pelkey. But silver wasn’t the only thing showing from the day.”
"Our hard work really embodied what it means to be a Somers Cheerleader, and I think we really came through,” said the sophomore.
Delia Eagleton credits synergy. “We go through a lot together so we have unity,” said the freshman. “We’re motivated, we have a lot of determination.”
A back spot, she knows about foundation. “We keep the stunt together and need quick thinking,” said Eagleton.
This especially in case something goes awry with a flier in the air. “You have to dive to catch them and have to put her first,” she assured.
Olivia Fitzsimons is definitely down - especially when it comes to Ila Schoenberg. “Our connection, she’s my flier,” said the sophomore.
As for Shoenberg, she is unequivocally up. “It’s really fun because you get to challenge yourself in a way you normally wouldn’t on any other day,” she said. “Everything you gain is a skill. It’s really rewarding.”
Falling always a possibility, courage is straightforward. “The bond between us - off and on the mat - helps me feel safe when I’m flying,” asserted Shoenberg.
On the ground Melanie Rudyk accepts the challenge of safety. “When we learn new stunts, we have to know exactly what we are doing,” said the sophomore.
The results showed on Game Day. “We really felt it on the mat,” said Rudyk.
More in the air for Emily DeJesus, her team keeps her grounded nonetheless. “It’s just cool being in the air, with my friends underneath,” said the senior.
Of course, the flier has a favorite catcher. “Hailey (Cavuoto) because she’s my best friend and I trust her,” said the Tusker. “So I’m more prone to do different stuff when she’s under me.”
The duo wasn’t a solo act on game day, though. “We all came together as a team and had a motivational talk before we went on the mat,” said DeJesus. “It brought us together.”
The days dwindling for the senior, competing isn’t her only job now. “I’m happy to teach the younger kids the techniques I have learned in the last four years,” said DeJesus.
Cavuoto already sees the results. “The younger girls are so reliable,” she said. “It’s such a great team.”
On the other hand, the senior has earned the right to play favorites. “She’s so good at flying. She’s tight. She squeezes her body. I really trust her up there,” Cavuoto elevated DeJesus.
“I know she’s not going to fall on my face.”
Football season over, the schedule isn’t set with competitions but these Tuskers are ready to answer the call. “We’ll play it by ear,” concluded Cavuoto.
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