The Sayreville Leprechauns’ Midget squad cheered their way to regional and state championships, and this month won the national title in their division in Orlando, Fla. SAYREVILLE — A group of local girls made history this year, overcoming a series of unforeseen challenges and cheering their way to a national title.
The Sayreville Leprechauns Midget squad won first place Dec. 12 in the novice division at the National Cheer and Dance Championships in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. They are the first team to achieve that goal in the history of the Leprechauns.
“It was our first time to compete at the national level,” Leprechaun Midget head coach Jody Feola said. “To become national champs our first time out is almost unbelievable. We are all still on cloud nine.”
The national competition followed championship victories at the Central Jersey, State Qualifier and Eastern Regional competitions. In addition to winning first place at Walt Disney World, the Midgets won the Spirit of Sportsmanship Award.
It wasn’t easy.
CHRIS KELLY staff Sayreville’s Leprechauns Midget cheerleaders Amanda Ciprich, Giana Galasso and Danielle Traina, all 14, react to the cold weather while waiting to start a parade through town to celebrate their win as national champions. “This team had a lot of bumps,” said Kelli VanNosdall, the team’s cheer representative. It started with uniform difficulties in the beginning of the year, and at one of the first competitions, a team member hurt her back. At the Eastern Regional competition, a girl had a bad stomach virus and was ill right up to the time the team stepped onto the competition floor.
The team charged on, winning their way to Orlando. But on the eve of the Nationals, during the last run-through of practice, one of the girls badly sprained her ankle, rendering her unable to cheer.
“With no time to change anything, the rest of the team was told to go out there and cheer as if she was there,” VanNosdall said. The girls performed as they normally do, and wowed the judges.
“It was the most amazing thing ever,” she said. “It was really quite awesome.”
CHRIS KELLY staff The Sayreville Leprechauns Midget cheerleaders celebrate as national champions in Walt Disney World with a trip around the town Dec. 20. The “dream team” consists of Courtney Aich, Ashley Bratton, Amanda Ciprich, Brianna Clyne, Rebecca Cortes, Nicolette Craig, Elaina DellaFave, Nicolette Devish, Heather Doran, Jenna Feola, Victoria Fernandes, Chelsea Fernandez, Megan Fitzgibbons, Leah Fleming, Giana Galasso, Emily Geant, Emily Goldmann, Diamond Hargrove, Rachel Inverso, Julianna Lembo, Megan McDonough, Natalie Mendez, Kaitlyn Passeretti, Brenda Pinto, Marsha Platon, Amanda Schurott, Brittney Taillefer, Danielle Traina, Kayla White and Victoria Woods.
The coaching staff, in addition to Feola, is Laurie Aich, Amy Lembo, Ashley Waresk and Kristen Aikens.
VanNosdall said it was a thrill to work with the organization.
“What an amazing group of ladies to work with. From the girls to the coaches, it was a total pleasure. They worked together from day one as a team, as one,” she said. “We had some stressful times, but the dedication and respect that they showed each other, the Sayreville Leprechaun organization and the town of Sayreville was beyond amazing.”
Feola also described the season as incredible.
“These girls worked harder than ever to achieve their goals. Time and time again they were put to the test and always stuck together to come out on top,” Feola said, noting the fact that the Midgets took first in three competitions before the Nationals.
“Being national champions is so exciting, but it does not compare to how proud we all were when the girls also received the Spirit of Sportsmanship Award,” Feola added. “This award shows the true integrity and amazing spirit of this team.”