Somers cheerleaders take third at nationals

SOMERS, N.Y. - In November, Somers' 7th/8th grade cheerleading team took third in the regionals, and in so doing, the athletes achieved a first for the program. The Tuskers received a bid to the national tournament in Kissimmee, Florida, and the D14 team did more than just show up.

“Their score finished in the top five of the 300 teams and 3rd in our division,” said head coach Jackie Cavuoto.
The team embarked on Dec. 3, and the two-day competition was a culmination of a journey that began last March.

“They decided this is the goal they wanted to achieve,” said Cavuoto.

So, practices ran a little longer in the lead up and the team employed their standard tweaks based on the feedback of judges.

“We change the routine every time we compete,” she explained. “Making it harder, so we score higher.” 

On the part of the coaches, the workload went up dramatically.  

“We spent endless hours updating the routine, making sure we had everything we needed,” Cavuoto said. 

Shooting to have the girls 100% ready to compete, the cheers first took a little down time. 

“Universal night out,” said the coach, “the whole park was closed, and it was just cheerleaders from around the country.”

Then they got down to business. 

“We practiced at Top Gun Arena,” said Cavuoto. 

Unsurprising, there was a bit more noise when it came to flying in the biggest arena the athletes had ever competed in.

“The kids were nervous, but they rallied together,” she said.

Of course, the starting time came and went, and the remaining routine amounted to a lot of waiting. 

“They just randomly announce you’re moving on,” said Cavuoto, and a big team scream accompanied the Tuskers qualification for Super Saturday.

The exceptional tumbles, flies and catches weren’t the only factor, though. 

“We have 7th and 8th grade girls on the team since kindergarten. We’ve been touring together and now it’s many years later,” she said. “The same coaches, the same kids, the camaraderie has gotten them here.”

The formula didn’t abate on day two either. 

“They hit, they knew they hit,” Cavuoto asserted.

Even so, the moment was bittersweet. 

“There were a lot of tears,” Cavuoto revealed. 

Hugs too, the end game was again delayed. Hours of waiting, a ceremony eventually did the honors. With thousands of kids in anticipation, the top three teams in each division were called out.  

“They were jumping for joy,” said Cavuoto. 

Dinner afterwards, the procession of firsts was on everyone’s mind. 

“To place in the top three in the country is beyond our expectations,” she said.

All good things, the reality was hard to escape.

“Our 8th graders are moving on to varsity, so we don’t know exactly where the team stands,” she said.

But the Somers history books have no such doubt.

The team included Britton Bassi, Ciara Gilbert, Valentina DeSantis, Ila Schoenberg, Emma Quinones, Ashley Rascona, Sofia Maracallo, Kate Sanborn, Caroline Papa, Lyla Gaudio, Ava DeBellis, Avianna Botticelli, Elizabeth Spano, Camryn Tierney, Fiona Gjonbalaj, Delia Eagleton, Charlotte Cavuoto, and Tessa Sullivan.