Newtown D15 Cheerleaders Second In Nationals

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown’s D15 cheerleaders tumbled, jumped, and cheered their way almost to the top of the proverbial pyramid at the national level this winter. The girls made their mark not only on the local level, but at the national level as well.

Theses up-and-coming cheerleaders were runners-up in the recently held American Youth Cheer National Championships in Orlando, Fla., won by the Keyport Indians from New Jersey.

Newtown placed second among seven qualifying squads, which came from as far away as California. Among the teams to reach nationals were those from Florida and throughout New England. The Newtowners reached the pinnacle competition after earning a runner-up finish in the AYC Northeast Regional Championships in Worcester, Mass., this past fall.

Many of these girls have been cheering together since second or third grade and worked hard to represent the town in style with a strong showing among the best cheerleaders around.

Their spirited cheers and display of agility earned plenty of high points from judges and praise from Head Coach Susan Bridges.

The team performed a two-and-a-half minute routine that included tumbling, jumping, a pyramid, and individual stunts, and featured a minute-and-a-half session to music, and a minute of cheering.

“It was a great tournament — a lot of great competition. It wasn’t a gimmie at all,” Bridges said of the team earning second. “They really worked hard. We sweated it out until the end because the teams were so good and so competitive.”

Bridges is assisted by Lori Rohrbacher and Chris Hughes, and student demonstrators are Meredith Bridges, Madalyn Petrovich, and Samantha Rohrbacher.

Members of the squad are: Madi Duffy, Emma Horne, Jess Mullany, Kayla Sippin, Julia Monaco, CeCe DelRossi, Christina Moore, Elizabeth Zambernardi, Chloe Amante, Celia Gold, Jackie Sgobbo, Danielle Mola, Kayle Kordish, Lindsay Skalkos, Jamie Calandro, Julia Wiberg, Lindsay Hoyt, Nicole Zaccaro, Laken Hughes, Juliana Patelli, Maddy Bridges, Anna Buzzanca, and Laura Sullivan.