The Millstone Eagles Pop Warner Midgets (above) and Junior Pee Wees (left) accept the congratulations of Millstone Township Committee members for their first- and fifth-place wins, respectively, at a national cheer competition in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla., this month. MILLSTONE — Pop Warner cheerleaders have a new reason to cheer.
The Eagles Midgets have soared to the top spot in the nation, and the Junior Pee Wees placed fifth after a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., the week of Dec. 6 for the national championship.
The Midgets, consisting of 15 eighth-graders, beat out their competitors in the small, novice division, and the Junior Pee Wees, — 21 fourth- and fifth-graders — competed and placed in the large, novice division. The Junior Pee Wees also won the coveted spirit award.
And they did this even though it was their first year in existence.
“I’m so proud of our teams,” cheer coordinator Eileen Morrissey said. “It’s a tremendous achievement for our first year.”
The cheering is “more than just hip, hip, hooray, give me an E, give me an A,” explained Morrissey.
The 2 1/2-minute routine, which is carefully choreographed and performed to pop music, is half dance and half cheer.
Morrissey said local residents and businesses donated what would equate to about $350 per girl in an effort to support the squads’ trip to Orlando.
The trip to Florida followed a string of competitions locally. On Oct. 16, both teams took first place in a central New Jersey competition. On Oct. 31, the Midgets took first place, and the Junior Pee Wees placed third in a regional qualifier that included teams from all over northern and central New Jersey.
Finally, the Midgets and Junior Pee Wees proved they had what it takes to compete on a national level when they placed first and second, respectively, against squads from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Their performance in Florida was the icing on the cake.
“It’s going to be a tough act to follow next year,” Morrissey said. “But we’re going to do even better.”
Morrissey explained that because the Midgets are eighth-graders who will be moving on to high school, the Pop Warner Midgets will be a completely new team next season.
In January, Pop Warner will begin registering those interested in participating, and will continue signing up girls through spring.