Hey Mickey, You're So Fine...
So apparently Connetquot has a really good cheerleading squad. Like Bring It On good. 
The girls, about 20 of them, compete under the watchful eye of first-year head coach Lauren Paino and surprised pretty much everyone this weekend when they took sixth at the 2008 UCA National Cheerleading Championship in Florida. The high-flyers, who were edged out by Sachem East in the regionals, rallied to best some of the biggest names in high school cheerleading on Sunday. (Check 'em out in the photo.)
"This is the first time we've ranked this high," said a clearly elated Paino. "The girls were ecstatic."
Connetquot has only made it to the finals twice, Paino said, but a new focus on stunting has set them apart from the rest.
"The girls practice religiously every day," she said, adding that practice went on for about two to two and a half hours, six days a week. And it paid off: after regionals, Connetquot beat out 50 schools for a chance to compete in the finals.
Paul Laurence Dunbar of Louisiana took first while Sachem East, the Long Island powerhouse, took 12th. Go here for a full list of the winners.
Cheers!
Comments
I just wanted to say, as a mom of one of the senior varsity cheerleaders, that this was a great accomplishment by the girls. They worked so hard all year and definitely deserved to place so high in the Nationals Competition. I know this is a year my daughter will never forget, and it was a great way to end her seven-year cheerleading reign for Connetquot. Best wishes to all the Seniors on your way to college and to the rest of the team to continue the legacy!
Posted by: Barbara Lombardi | February 24, 2008 8:18 AM