The defending state and South-West Conference champion Newtown High School cheerleaders may not be supporting the football team, with the pigskin season canceled as a result of coronavirus restrictions, and the girls are hoping for an opportunity to defend their titles this winter. For now, however, they are excited just to be back on the mat and training together.

Newtown’s cheer squad had to work on individual skills until training restrictions were lifted to allow contact and longer practice sessions on September 21, with masks worn at all times.

“They were so excited for today. It was like Christmas morning for them,” Newtown Coach Susan Bridges said on September 21, when the girls finally got to begin working on group stunting routines.

In past seasons, the cheerleaders wore masks if team members had signs of colds.

“During the winter flu season we are mask-wearers,” Bridges said. “They’re used to wearing them.”

The Nighthawk cheer squad used the preseason restrictions to focus on basic skills and will continue to train as if they will have February championships, but all the while not looking too far ahead.

“We’ll take it week by week. It’s hard to have big goals right now,” Bridges admits.

Senior captains are Caroline Tousignant, Emi Rosenthal, and Gina Lewis. The other seniors are Julia Pellicone, Danielle Vigneau, Allie Luby, Tori Duarte, and Emily Hammond; juniors are Vicky Chop and Lauren Milligan; sophomores are Katie Daoust, Abby McManus, Meaghan Temoche, and Alexandra Checchia; and freshmen are Hannah Busillo, Hannah Guman, and Rachel Szor.