In the midst of a busy November schedule, Staten Island’s four CHSAA programs recently competed at the UCA Northeast Regionals in Trenton, N.J.
Three schools punched its tickets to Nationals later this winter, with Notre Dame Academy earning first place in Small Varsity II and fourth in Medium Game-Day II, St. Joseph by-the-Sea taking second place in Large Varsity I and St. Joseph Hill bidding at 6th place in Small Varsity II.
The three bidding squads had strong performances on the mat, with some cheerleaders working hard to perfect skills throughout the week and others overcoming challenges in the middle of competition.
That’s why the Staten Island Advance/SILIVE.com will highlight team members who worked especially hard throughout the week, now and throughout the season. Whether it be for their performance on or off the mat, this section looks to acknowledge the student-athletes who are standing out for all of the right reasons.
Each team provided two “Top Performers,” with their names listed below along with explanations from their coaches on why they believed they earned the recognition.
Think you know who your favorite team’s top cheerleaders of the week are? Check it out below!
NDA, Sea, Hill earned their spots at Nationals on Sunday, competing at the UCA Northeast Regional at CURE Insurance Arena. NDA’s Addison Abrahamsen is a Top Performer this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com(Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)
Notre Dame Academy: Addison Abrahamsen and Rae Driscoll
Abrahamsen, a flyer, was in the midst of competing NDA’s game-day routine when she fell out of a stunt and onto the floor, hitting her back and head. With UCA stopping the routine to check on the junior, who briefly got back up before kneeling back onto the mat, many feared she wouldn’t be able to compete for the rest of the day. However, after being evaluated by medical staff and her coaches, Abrahamsen was able to go on for both of the Gators’ routines.
For her resiliency, NDA’s three coaches named her a Top Performer.
“Honest to God, there was nothing that was going to keep her off that mat. That’s just the type of athlete she is,” said Kim Fitzgerald, noting that Abrahamsen was raring to go once she walked off the mat. “She stayed in the right mindset and also kept her [traditional] group, which are all freshmen, in the right headspace by hyping them up and making sure they can do what they need to do. She just loves this team and breathes this sport.”
Meanwhile Driscoll, a main base, recently came back to compete on the traditional mat after tearing her ACL in the off-season. Competing just five months after surgery, the senior was only cleared on Oct. 29.
“She wanted nothing more than to get back on the traditional mat, and we were finally able to get her back two weeks before Regionals,” added co-coach Andréa Vindigni. “She pushed herself [these last two weeks] and just jumped right back into the swing of things.”
NDA, Sea, Hill earned their spots at Nationals on Sunday, competing at the UCA Northeast Regional at CURE Insurance Arena. Sea’s Giavanna Gargano is a Top Performer this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com(Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea: Giavanna Gargano and Olivia Patton
Gargano, a senior main base and tumbler, earned the recognition for her hard work in practice while Patton, a junior side base, was acknowledged for her spirit on and off the mat.
“Giavanna worked so hard to get her full and cartwheel full solid to hit [at Regionals], along with main-basing in a new group for the last few weeks,” said head coach Kim Kukal. “Olivia has been a strong and solid base anywhere we put her, and she never gives up on hitting her skills. She’s also been very encouraging and positive, [both] in practice and competition.”
NDA, Sea, Hill earned their spots at Nationals on Sunday, competing at the UCA Northeast Regional at CURE Insurance Arena. Hill’s Alexa Cassidy is a Top Performer this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com(Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)
St. Joseph Hill: Alexa Cassidy and Victoria Van Der Neut
Cassidy, a sophomore backspot, earned her spot for her energy during the Hilltoppers’ cheer section and achieving a new skill.
“Alexa had great energy in the cheer, [especially with] engaging with the crowd and having sharp motions as one of our sign girls,” said coach Kai Bingham. “We’re also proud of her for throwing a new tumbling pass that she just got this week in the routine.”
Meanwhile Van Der Neut, a freshman flyer, got it for her presence in the air.
“Victoria’s a flyer we can watch in the air all day – she always keeps a smile on her face in every stunt and punches her motions with a purpose,” added Bingham. “Her presence on the mat doesn’t go unnoticed.”
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