Newtown High School’s cheerleading squad will be rooting, from the sidelines, for the Nighthawk football team to win it all this fall and also continuing to train hard for a triumph of its own, what they hope will be another South-West Conference championship at season’s end.

The Nighthawks tossed, tumbled, danced, and cheered to the title last February by edging out Joel Barlow of Redding, the team that prevented the them from winning it all each of the previous two years. After back-to-back second-place outcomes, the Hawks will go for consecutive crowns, something the program accomplished not long ago. Newtown, as a matter of fact, won the SWC title in 2014, ‘15, and ‘16.

Newtown lost four team members to graduation but again has a lineup loaded with talent, led by captains Emi Rosenthal, Gina Lewis, Nicky Schairer, and Caroline Tousignant.

Shairer is the team’s lone senior; Rosenthal, Lewis, and Tousignant are part of a strong junior class, which also features Julia Pellicone, Danielle Vigneau, Allie Luby, Tori Duarte, and Emily Hammond.

Sophomores are Vicky Chop, Alexis Wasik, Annie Phelps, Annie Pavilcek, and Lauren Milligan. Coach Susan Bridges has been impressed with freshmen Katie Daoust, Abby McManus, and Meaghan Temoche.

“It’s always fun to get back. It’s always fun to start the new season fresh,” said Bridges, adding that the team is constantly working on its technique and building its skills.

Barlow, once again, as well as New Fairfield, Brookfield, and Masuk of Monroe are traditionally some of the teams to watch, said Bridges, adding that there are many new coaches in the conference, and it will be interesting to see what each team brings to the mats.

“It’s never a given to get that championship,” Bridges said.

The Nighthawks are striving not only to successfully defend their conference championship, but also contend for a state trophy. The team was second in the state a year ago.

The cheer team members are focusing on improving tumbling skills, Bridges said.

“They’ve been working hard in the offseason,” the coach added. “We’re always going to be looking for that state championship.”

The competition season begins in January. Newtown will again host the SWC championships, slated for Friday, February 7, at 7 pm.