Cheerleading champions
honored by Manalapan
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
DAVE BENJAMIN Manalapan High School varsity cheerleaders and their coach, Lisa Rizzo (l), returned from Florida with winning smiles and a first-place finish in the U.S. Spirit National Championships. See page 51 for story.
MANALAPAN — The high school varsity cheerleaders have raised the roof in their goal to reach the top.
Traveling to Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., for a competition held March 28-30, the varsity team cheered its way to victory in the U.S. Spirit National Championship.
"Halfway into their routine I knew they had it," said varsity cheerleading coach Lisa Rizzo. "They were so poised, so confident, so strong. They went through their intricate, nonstop routines as if they owned the floor. The crowd was visibly struck by their enthusiasm and performance. The huge room was silent except for the sounds of oohs and aahs."
U.S. Spirit is one of about four national competitions and each has a different emphasis. U.S. Spirit is more gymnastic, dance and stunt oriented.
"The coach determines which competition a team is more suited for and enters the team in the appropriate local and regional competitions," said Ilse Whisner, public information coordinator for the Freehold Regional High School District.
The Manalapan team is a young squad, Rizzo said.
"The team lost six seniors [from] last year," the coach said. "They struggled in the beginning of the school year with stunting, throwing girls in the air, but their perseverance and dedication paid off. Constant practice enabled them to grow and achieve a perfect ending to a very difficult year."
The Township Committee honored cheerleaders Sarah Amalfitano, Nicole Cioffi, Christine Finelli, Emily Freier, Dianna Marino, Shannon Oliwa, Megan Oliwa, Tara Pranio, Shari Robin, Dana Roth, Brittany Savarese, Alyson Shefkind, Nicole Meisner, Laura Misthal, Jessica Ogrodowczyk, Amanda Sirignano, Stephanie Straglinos and Samantha Totaro at its May 13 meeting.
"The girls traveled to Orlando, Fla., where they won first place and became the U.S. Spirit national champions," Mayor Drew Shapiro said. "[Congratulations to] the Manalapan High School varsity cheerleaders for all of their hard work and dedication. We wish them continued success.
"It has come to my attention that many of our sports groups as well as high school entities, like the cheerleaders, have excelled in their divisions and have become champions in the different areas. This is just another example of how the children in town are excelling in everything they do. I am very proud of the youth in Manalapan and the dedication they are showing toward their respective groups and organizations," the mayor said.