Regional cheerleading squads finish fifth in national championships

| 29 Sep 2011 | 08:27

On March 12, the junior (ninth grade and below) and senior (12th grade and below) teams of the Jaguar All Star Cheerleader’s from Kenvil, which include girls from Sussex County, placed in the top five at Universal Cheerleader Association’s (UCA) All Star Cheerleading Championships at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The event draws more than 400 teams from the U.S. and Canada. Both Jags teams qualified for the event by earning first place in their respective divisions at UCA’s All Star camp last summer. They then set their goal - top five in the nation. On Sat., March 11, the teams took the stage at the Wide World of Sports. With ESPN camera crews zooming in, the Junior team placed third out of 17 in the Small Junior Level 2 Division, and the Senior team placed second out of 15 in the Small Senior Level 3 Division. On Sunday the Juniors moved into fourth place, just .06 points from third place. The Seniors moved to fifth place, just three points from third place. The junior team members are Katie Bagley, Amanda Garris, Sam Isgur, Julie lane, Cheyenne Leef, Jessica Lioutas, Meghan McDonald, Chelsea Newberg, Gianna Pastena, Helen Rickey, Jaime Roselle, Leah Sorhagen, Amanda Rose Tanzola, Victoria Tessmer, ,Victoria Trucksess and Frankie Verrone. Coaches are Sharon Brice, Kim Wescott, and Keri Bachmann. The senior team members are Shannon Apgar, Britney Brice, Amanda DiRenzo, Lexie Ferraro, Jessica Garris, Katie Janela, Joy Kraft, Kellie Lane, Giovanna Navarro, Samantha Rehe, Allison Schappert, Chelsea Schumacher, Corrie-Anne Shaw, Devin Simpson, Katlyn Wescott, and Kelly Wescott. Coaches are Michele Ravo, Missi DiRenzo, and Keri Bachmann. The Jags formed five years ago with just eight girls. Today the program includes more than 55 members from more than 10 schools in Morris, Sussex and Warren counties. This year a junior prep team (sixth grade and under) joined their big sisters to compete locally. The junior prep team members are Lizzy Alegria, Sarah Anthony, Laura Boiko, Tori Brouhard, Skyler Buccino, Leigh-Ann Clabby, Casey Ferraro, Meghan Greer, Stevi Irwin, Nicolette Jimenez, Jaclyn Liccone, Amanda Mayer, Catherine Monaghan, Becky Neeb, Shannon Scherr, Hayley Simpson, Shayla Smith, Emily Salamon, Sammi Jo Tanzola, Jessica Urrutia, Madison Wronko, and Michaela Zavaglia. Coaches are Gene Wronko and Chris Ferraro. Shelley Miller choreographed the National routines.