By: Rich Fisher
After an autumn of supporting their football teams during the boys’ competition, the South Brunswick PAL Pop Warner cheerleaders got to do a little competing of their own.
And oh, how they competed.
The Vikings won not one, but two Garden State Cheerleading championships at the Sovereign Bank Arena on Nov. 11, as the Pee Wees and Junior Pee Wees each proved to be best in their respective divisions.
"I’m just very proud of them," said first-year cheer director Dawn Jackson. "They worked countless hours in practice, learning all the little things involved in making them the number one champion. And I’m just really proud of their success."
Jackson said there was little doubt among the SB PAL members that the Viking squads could come up big.
"We were positive," she said. "Definitely."
The Vikings had the option of competing in the state qualifiers, in which the winners advanced to regionals, or in the Garden State championships, which were a one-competition event. They opted for the latter, though Jackson said "because we got such positive feedback we’re going to go to the next level next year."
The PAL cheerleaders have been practicing since Aug, going out two to five days per week depending on what time of the year it was. After not placing in their last competition, their results at the Garden State event showed how much they improved.
The Pee Wees, who won the Small Novice Division, are coached Nancy Porrovecchio, Elisa Martinez and Bettyann Henry. The team consists of Aylin Avci, Justina Baskin, Paige Bollman, Breanna Booth, Khadera Cathcart, Authmn Davis, Grace Fenner, Brianna Giorno, Samantha Henry, Holly Korzeniowski, Elisabeth Martinez, Casey Olsen, Regina Porrovechio, Kelly Prince, Ariel Rosenberg and Danielle St. Vincent.
The Junior Pee Wees, who won the Small Intermediate Division, are coached by Roshanda Davis, Paula Sjolund and Ellen Siegel. The team consists of Reese Berg, Allyson Berger, Rebecca Bierstein, Kelsie Cavorley, Virginia Fitts, Nicole Jacik, Katie Marchesani, Cary McConville, Kelly Mesinger, Nicole Oksman, Maddie Owens, Alexis Scola, Danielle Siegel, Ashley Shor, Elise Smart and Carly Sjolund.
"They really had a great time, and a lot of hard work was involved," Jackson said. "We’re all so very proud of them, and I’m thankful for all the support from the head coaches and the assistant coaches that we got this year. I’m in my first year, I’m still a work in progress and their contributions really helped make things easier."

