Two Monroe cheerleading squads the best in Central Jersey
By: Rich Fisher
You know the old saying, behind every great man there’s a woman?
Well, that runs true to form in all age groups. In the Monroe Pop Warner Association, behind every great football player, there’s an equally great cheerleader.
In fact, the Wolverine gals were as good as it gets this year, as the Midgets and Pee Wees both took first place in the Central Jersey Gold Division 2 Cheer Competition at Trenton’s Sovereign Bank Arena. The two squads were also second overall in Central Jersey, and both qualified for the state competition last week at the SBA.
Although neither team advanced from states, they did Monroe proud.
"They both gave beautiful performances," said Kathy Mohr, head coach of the Midgets and vice-president of the Monroe Wolverines. "They just came up against great competition. The girls from the Jersey Shore were unbelievable."
Despite not advancing, the girls can take pride in the fact they were part of one of the greatest cheerleading seasons in Wolverine history. The Junior Pee Wees also made their presence felt, taking third in the Gold Division and finishing sixth at last weekend’s Garden State Games at Great Adventure.
"Back in the 90’s, they used to be really good," Mohr said. "Then for years, they didn’t win anything. Last year we did pretty good, this year we blew everyone away."
Elana Sullivan coached the champion Pee Wees, and Mohr also gives ample credit to first-year cheer director Lori Siemon.
"She has done an absolute excellent job," Mohr said. "She has really worked hard and helped these girls along."
The coaches all had faith in the girls, who were armed with the right choreography.
"I knew they would do good because we had an awesome routine," Mohr said. "When they went to states, they really stood up to their competition, I had total faith in them.
"It was a really good experience for everybody. Now they understand what we’re talking about when we coach them. It was extremely rewarding."
And the rewards may keep on coming. After placing in the Central Jersey meet last year, Mohr said registration went "sky high."
Now, after two first-place finishes?
"I think the program is really going to explode," she said. "This was really good for the whole organization."
Members of the champion Midget team included cheerleaders Megan Allen, Jasmine Jackson, Cynthia Antunes, Laura Wohltman, Chelsea Payne, Sarah McNutt, Jacquelyn Dufner, Michelle Crawley, Kristine Zdrodowski, Amanda Konopko, Jamie Olexson, Jennifer Camporeale, Danielle Siemons, Megan Olexson, Chelsea Walus, Alisandra Jones, Charley Falkenburg, Nari Han, Brittany Mohr, Brittany O’Brien, Laura Borawski, Heather Hessler, Kristen Makris, Katelyn Gorman, Nicole Kides, Brittany Salvator, Stephanie Pecorino, Danielle Zarillo, Tina Stonaker, Nicole Lawrence, Lisa Olexson, Maria Albano, Shaunna Sullivan, Dominique Cantor and Samantha Silva.
The coaches included Mohr, choreographer Kelly Lange, and assistants Terri Mackin, Jeanne Crawley and Mary Lange.
Members of the champion Pee Wee team included cheerleaders Jackie Siemon, Natalia Zultanky, Brittany Adelino, Alexis Kovaleski, Alex Crispino, Michelle Mackin, Nikki Wager, Christine Shatynski, Kaleigh Meagher, Ashley Carlson, Samantha Crane, Michelle LiSanti, Marisa Imbriani, Tracy DiTirro, Kristin Collins, Tiffany Caccavale, Samantha Sullivan, Melissa Guinta, Krystin Ryfkogel, Terri Learn, Rebecca Schork, Diana Melchionna, Tori Geist, Justine Certo, Samantha Spiga, Paige Pillar, Rebecca Piester, Jamie Himmelreich, Megan Denehy, Ashley Senatore and Kimberly Gregor. Missing from the photo are Jessica Cantor, Kaitlin McNamara, Alexa Seaman and junior coaches Tara Lange and Kim Mackiewicz.
Coaches included Sullivan, assistants Lori Siemon, Carolyn Gregor, Donny Ryfkogel and Rita Caccavale, and junior coaches Tara Lange and Kim Mackiewicz. Allison Sullivan was team mascot.