By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — Usually the varsity cheerleaders at Montgomery High School spend much of their time encouraging their football team, emboldening their classmates and trying their best to incite inspiration throughout their community.
But on March 21, the tables turned and it was their turn to receive the cheering and praise for winning the title of Somerset County cheerleading champions for the first time, placing sixth in the Universal Cheerleaders Association Empire State Regionals and competing in the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Florida.
Amid a small crowd of beaming parents, that evening the Township Committee passed a proclamation honoring the 20-member squad. Coaches Tiffany Riley and Amy Nowak were applauded along with each girl who tumbled, danced and most of all cheered, to earn her team these titles.
”We are incredible proud of this team, especially since they’re such a young team — 17 seniors left last year so we weren’t sure how this team was going to hold together and they really surprised us,” said Ms. Riley. “We are looking forward to the potential this team has moving forward.”
The victories were not without a few anxiety attacks along the way. Before the competitions, the team was faced with a cheerleading squad’s worst nightmare: injuries. About four weeks before nationals a girl was injured, but was able to recover in time. Another girl, who suffered injuries a mere week before the competition, wasn’t as fortunate. However, a junior varsity member was able to stand in after learning the routine in a week.
The county champs were also able to overcome an injury that occurred in the middle of the competition. Cheerleader Isabel Loaiza, who received her award on crutches, suffered injuries while performing at the national competition, but finished the entire routine regardless.
”That’s a lot tougher than me,” said Mayor Ed Trzaska, spurring laughter in the audience. “If I had a sprained ankle, I wasn’t playing that basketball game.”
The Township Committee also commended the squad for its charitable efforts. For the third consecutive year, the squad held Cougars Tackling Cancer, which was originally known as Cougars for a Cure.
The girls turned the stadium pink and promoted breast cancer awareness throughout October. This year, they raised about $2,300 for the Steeplechase Cancer Center in the Somerset County Medical Center Foundation.
”They have accomplished so much this year, both on the competition stage and through their charitable endeavors,” said Mayor Trzaska. “Their teamwork and dedication to our community are admirable and all of Montgomery is proud of them.”
The team includes coaches: Head Coach Tiffany Riley and Assistant Coach Amy Nowak; and cheerleaders: Caitlyn Ark, Ashleigh Bobbitt, Stephanie deRavel, Erin Donnellan, Peyton Drift, Nicole Duran, Lisa Farricker, Samantha Garhart, Alexa Gilbert, Katarina Joslin, Isabel Loaiza, Julia LoPresti, Gabrielle Louis-Charles, Melissa Lubitz, Jessica Missel, Emily O’Connor, Marissa Ross, Helen Taylor, Hope Vlacich, Jacqueline Wang.
The Township Committee also passed another two proclamations honoring two more ladies for their achievements. Montgomery High School senior Nicole DeSario and Bev Glockler, a longtime member of the local EMS squad, were two of this year’s 21 Outstanding Women in Somerset County.
Ms. DeSario was selected for her social services in her ongoing battle against domestic and teen dating violence. Ms. Glockler, who has been with the EMS for 25 years, was recognized for her volunteerism.

