Holiday cheer may be in the air, but it’s Eastchester’s cheerleaders who are the toast of the town.
On Sunday, December 14, the Eagles punched their tickets to Nationals, earning two bids with a strong showing at the regional competition held at Iona University. Placing sixth in Traditional Cheer and winning the medium-school division in Game Day Cheer, the Eagles appear to be picking up right where they left off during the fall season, when they claimed a New York State Game Day Cheer Championship.
Head coach Stephanie Leone said that she sensed her squad was ready for the regional event after the group performed at a tournament hosted by the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
“They executed a very clean routine, and as we move through the season, we will continue to add difficulty and build our skill level,” said head coach Stephanie Leone. “Since the fall season is dedicated towards Game Day cheer, we’re now beginning to focus on the traditional routine as well.”
Eastchester’s showing at Iona means the teams will compete in both events at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, which will be held in Orlando, Fl. In February. Last year at Nationals, the Eagles placed fifth in Division 2 Small Varsity Game Day and 20th in Division 2 Small Varsity Traditional.
Leone noted that the team is eager to build on last year’s triumphs.
“They are so dialed in and ready to work as far as building skills; they love being in the gym and can’t wait to come back to work,” said Leone. “This group is dedicated to winning and you can tell from the ‘mat talk’ and how they’re able to motivate each other.”
The Eagles will be back in action on Jan. 12, when they head to New Jersey to compete at the Garden State Challenge against top teams from the Northeast. Leone says that competing against other high-level teams should help Eastchester prepare for future challenges, including the upcoming Nationals, as well as the Section 1 and New York State Championships.
“Small Varsity D2 happens to have some of the most competitive teams in the nation, which helps us,” said Leone. “It really is a privilege as a coaching staff to work with this group, they’re always working so that they can improve.”
