Newtown’s youth cheerleading teams had success at the American Youth Cheer Connecticut State competition at the Floyd Little Athletic Arena in New Haven on November 6.

The youngest athletes were an exhibition team comprising second and third grade cheerleaders. These cheerleaders walked onto the mat with confidence, showed their spunk and performed their routine with perfection, with each cheerleader earning a medal of her own, and making their coaches and parents very proud.

The 19 athletes on the D-10 team, comprising fourth and fifth grade students, performed as a Level 2 Small team. Their hard work and dedication to cheer showed. The team hit its marks, got the crowd cheering, and impressed the judges with an upbeat routine. The performance earned the D-10 cheer squad first place in the division.

Newtown’s D-12 team, featuring 13 athletes from sixth and seventh grades, competed as a Level 3 Small team. Level 3 compete means they are able to do some of the most challenging routines. It also means these cheerleaders need to have extensive practice to execute difficult stunts. The cheerleaders showed their athleticism and competitive spirit throughout their routine. Their performance also earned first place.

The D-14 team, the program’s most senior 17 athletes, competed at Level 2 Small, and wowed the judges. Many of these athletes have cheered together for years. Their performance illustrated their experience and teamwork. The D-14 team had fierce competition and did not disappoint. Their performance displayed their fun spirit and drive to be the best. The scores were very close, and D-14 earned second place in its division.

The D-10, D-12, and D-14 advanced to the North Eastern Regional Competition which will be held on November 20 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. The top three place finishers at Regionals will earn a bid to advance to the American Youth Cheer National Competition held in Kissimmee, Fla. in December.

The Newtown Youth Football and Cheer cheerleaders have been practicing three to four nights a week since early August. In addition to competing, the cheerleaders can be found cheering on the sidelines for the youth football teams each Sunday. Newtown Youth Football and Cheer thanks its dedicated coaches for volunteering their time and being so dedicated to the cheerleaders.