By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – With hair in curls and dressed in sparkly black and gold uniforms, 13 cheerleaders took their positions on the mat at the 2016 Central Jersey Pop Warner’s Annual Cheerleading Competition.
The South Brunswick Vikings Pee Wee Cheer Team, led by Head Coach Kia Cullen-Gooden, placed first and was named Pop Warner champions in October.
Cheerleaders Sidney Davis, Madison Dreboty, Kylie Ferber, Ka’Bria Foster, Erin Harbison, Courtney Geary, Kylah Gooden, Chelsy Goodwill, Ellie Jones, Jailen Martinez, Alyssa Lauri, Arianna Santon and Sofia Scarpa were also led by Assistant Coaches Keisha Wilson and Shakila Singleton, Junior Coach Masiyah Blue, Cheer Director Joann Campisano and Taylor Gorrell.
Cullen-Gooden said she wanted to see her team succeed.
“As head coach, I wanted to make some changes to our cheer team,” she explained. “In order to have an awesome team, you must strengthen the team by applying different team-building exercises in order to build team relationships.”
The team made use of their leisure time, worked on their communication skills and focused on building relationships.
This year, the coaches decided to focus more on the girls’ enthusiasm and attitude.
The coaches created the girls’ routine with the themes of fighting for what you desire and having control. The cheer moves were accompanied by the songs “Control” by Janet Jackson and “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera.
The girls competed against two other teams, which included the Piscataway Braves, which placed second, and the Colonia Patriots.