Three-Peat! Cheer Squad Wins Another South-West Conference Championship

Newtown High School's cheerleading team won its third consecutive South-West Conference Championship, defeating tough competition at its home gym on February 6.

The Nighthawks had a score of 88.30, runner-up Brookfield had 86, and third-place Masuk of Monroe had 84.50.

"Very proud, very excited — you just never know," said Nighthawk Coach Susan Bridges, noting that cheer squads might nail routines in practices and warmup but have some stumbles in their championship moment.

"It wasn't a perfect routine," Bridges said.

But an ultra-challenging one and the Nighthawks more than made up for some miscues with precision with many of their tumbles and stunts — several very daring as always.

"I think the standard is set," Bridges said of the expectation of the varsity lineup which is also coming off a win in last year's State and New England Championships.

Repeating as conference champs and accomplishing the three-peat was no easy feat.

"It's hard to win it again. We have worked tirelessly we have worked hard every day," said Bridges, who is assisted by Elie Mouchantat and Caitlin Horvath.

The Nighthawks are led by captains Isabella Walder, Mel Lordeiro, Abi Gonzalez, and Leticia DeOliveira. Walder, Lordeiro, and DeOlveria were named to the All SWC Team.

The rest of the Nighthawks include: Lily Willinger, Reese Roland, Macie Phillips, Ava Kiel, Madison Moore, Charlotte Oltran, Mikaela Sisenstein, Kaelyn Rosvally, Ellie Pickard, Cassie Sphack, Hailey Velsmid, and Brielle San Souci.