Thursday, February 8th, Smithtown East varsity cheer left for their journey to nationals. SHSE Varsity Cheer worked so hard since August until they left for the UCA Competition in Orlando, Florida. The trip was a fun-filled 5-days of competition, friendship, and heartfelt moments. As they stepped into the competition, captains Ava Gambino, Maggie Karika, and Ryleigh Kozlowski led their teammates with confidence and strength to hit a perfect routine. 

Our own Smithtown East Varsity Cheer Team stepped on the mat and hit a perfect routine on days one and two of the competition. They competed in three out of the four rounds. Their routine was flawless, earning them high scores on both days. 

Competitive cheer competitions follow a specific order: first, the preliminary round, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and then finals. Only half of the teams from each round move on to the next, making each move by every team incredibly competitive, as the competition advances it becomes more and more cutthroat. This group of nineteen girls truly persisted and gave their performances their all for the hundreds of people and the panel of judges. Those watching from home could feel the girl’s confidence. JV athlete, Mariana Avellan, stated, “I could just see that they knew it was their routine to take. They all looked calm and controlled in everything they did but at the same time so excited.” Over 10,000 home viewers got to experience their routine for the first time that weekend, but these girls had done it hundreds of times before. 

Although the team’s season-long goal was to make the finals, they were still delighted with their semi-final finish in the most competitive division of the weekend. Varsity members say coaches have never been more proud of them and how hard they worked. They spent the end of their weekend celebrating at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood studios in Disney making magical memories. 

We are so proud of our East girls and wish them the best in their next season.