By: Devary Bennett, Staff Writer
The River Hill cheerleading teams started the year off with placing 2nd in their first competition. The nineteen talented girls that take part in cheerleading include students from every grade; with juniors and seniors taking leadership positions for both teams. The captains, Sabina Crisitello and Maggie Kurdle are heavily responsible for the varsity team’s success, along with the varsity coach Amanda Rine, and JV coach T.
The varsity team has competed in two competitions so far this year with great results. The team was able to place 2nd and 4th with 3 stunt groups and over half the team’s staple back tucks. In order to place high during a competition, the team needs to reach a high level of difficulty. As the team takes the mat, seeing the complex stunts and intricate routines, it is no wonder the team exceeds during the competitions, sweeping the table with 115 points to help them win that 2nd place spot.
Sabina Crisitello, a senior captain, who had been on the varsity team for 4 years states that “[her] first competition for River Hill was exciting and nerve-wracking, but the team was so supportive and made me feel a lot more comfortable with the whole thing,” Crisitello said. The competitions are broken up into 2:30-minute routines, with a 10-minute warmup session. All teams are scored based on their tumbling, stunting, dance, and cheer.
“The one thing that sets us apart is our unique stunt combinations and dance. They add a breath of fresh air to the routine that’s really exciting to see.” Crisitello said.
Sadly, the second competition of the year didn’t go as well. But still made it into the top 5, placing 4th. Crisitello recounts the experience saying that “Our second competition was more of a learning experience, we’d just changed a few things and we’re still working out some of the kinks,” Crisitello said.
Apart from competitions, the varsity cheer team performs at the River Hill football games during halftime. From the stands, the sound of those shouting along to the team’s signature cheers “color shout” and “clap your hands” booms across the field. The cheerleaders get good practice performing in front of people, which helps them perform their best at the competitions.
The River Hill Cheerleading program welcomes anyone who wants to try out and is looking forward to new members joining the team. Many people don’t know all the cheerleading encompasses, with both games and competitions, cheerleading proves itself a rigorous and multiplex sport.