Mustangs Cheerleaders Finish in Top Ten in MA

The Medford High School Varsity Cheerleaders competed Sunday at the MSSAA Winter State Cheerleading Tournament held at Wachusett Regional High School.

“There were 12 awesome teams in Division 1 on Sunday. Every team seemed to have more difficulty than the one before it. Medford is both young and just not as skilled as most of the teams in Division I. Considering we have not competed in 2 years, it was an honor to have made it to the State final with all the ‘big guns.’ I considered it a learning tool for my team as most of them are freshmen and sophomores. They needed to feel the excitement about competing at the State Final, and to witness what other teams around the State look like. My goal for the winter season was met and actually surpassed. I can not say enough about how hard this team worked. Yes, they had to be pushed, as I believe all teams do, but my theme has always been, practice hard, because it will make you hard to beat. Practicing hard this season, took us places we thought we would never go!” Said Head Coach Melissa Pothier.

“They hit the mat at Wachusett High, completing their routine almost flawlessly, and ended up tenth in the State in Division I. They just did not have the difficulty that most of the other teams had. However, they never gave up and performed to the best of their ability. As a coach, you can not ask for anymore than that,” said Coach Pothier.

The winner of the Division I was Whitman Hanson, who stole the show with an outstanding performance, attaining a near perfect score of a 196.25 (out of a possible 200). Attleboro was second with a 178.50 and Shrewsbury placed third with a 177.75. Medford placed 10th with a score of 153.50.

The Mustangs will say good bye to their Captain Jessica Albano, who cheered all four years at Medford High School and was a member of the 2007 State Title Team, as well as the 2008 Nationals team as a freshman. In addition, Emily Traniello will also be graduating this year. Jessica will be attending Stonehill College and Emily will be attending Middlesex Community College next fall.

The remaining members of the Mustang Cheerleading team include: Christina Bramante, Tina Aiello, Brianna Dalessandro, Mikayla DeRienzo, Nicole Dello Russo, Andrea Galicia, Jules Clancy, Hailee Centrella, Brianna Hardy, Stephanie Silva, Catharina Jules, Daniella Colozzo, Sabrina Joachin, Lahela Helleberg, and Brooke Hanley. The girls are coached by Pothier, Kaitlyn Contardo and Lisa Evangelista.

– Submitted by Lisa Evangelista