Shari Joslin, MHS Cheer Booster President
The Montgomery High School Varsity Cheerleading team reached yet another major milestone on December 8, 2012 at the UCA Empire Regionals Competition. Our MHS Cheerleaders clinched a sixth place victory out of 16 teams that competed from the Northeast Region at Hofstra University.
The 16-girl competition squad gave a solid performance and enamored the crowd with their beautifully executed scorpion into scale opening stunt sequence. The level of difficulty and their seamless execution of the routine secured their bid to compete at the UCA National Cheerleading Championship being held at Orlando’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in February 2013 . This marks three consecutive years that the Montgomery Varsity has received a bid to Nationals.
Placing in the top 10 at regionals is another first for the Montgomery High School Varsity Cheer organization. The team competed and placed with the high caliber Sachem East, Sachem North and Rocky Pointe cheer teams who have won or placed in finals at the 2012 UCA Nationals in Orlando. "Being that it is my first year as the new head coach, I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments of this new team. This was a rebuilding year, yet this talented group of ladies won the Somerset County Championship for the first time in Montgomery history, as well as a bid to compete at the National Championship once again in Florida. I am eager to see what this team’s determination and drive will bring next,“ said head coach Tiffany Riley.
As the team celebrates their success and looks toward nationals, the booster club gears up for a busy two months of fundraising. “We are so proud of the team and their accomplishments this season and the boosters are doing our part to help them achieve their dreams of competing for a national title," said Shari Joslin, MHS Cheer Booster Club President. A bid to nationals is a separate cost from the regular season and requires additional fundraising efforts. “Our girls put in 10-20 hours of practice each week, support their Varsity football and basketball teams and do their part to raise the $21,000 to travel to Orlando and represent the Montgomery High School Athletic Program," said Joslin.
The MHS Varsity Competition team will be hosting several fundraisers to help offset the cost of the trip along with soliciting sponsorships. The team will kick-off their fundraising efforts at the Montgomery Shoprite on Sunday, December 23rd from 9am to 3pm bagging groceries followed by serving at a pancake breakfast on Saturday, January 5th from 8am to 10am at the Hillsborough Applebee’s. For more information on pancake breakfast tickets or sponsoring the squad for National’s please email MHSCougarCheer@gmail.com.
