After a full month of competing, Staten Island’s four CHSAA cheer programs will finally get in a few weeks of rest before preparing for the second half of the 2025-2026 season.
Before that, however, the teams all competed at the CHSAA Archdiocesan regional, held at the College of Staten Island’s Sports and Recreation Center.
Notre Dame Academy won first place for its traditional and gameday routines, both in Division II, while St. Joseph by-the-Sea (DI), St. Joseph Hill (DII) and Moore Catholic (DIII) all took home second place.
All in all, the hometown teams had a strong showing on the mat. That’s why, now and throughout the season, the Staten Island Advance/SILIVE.com will highlight team members who worked especially hard throughout the week.
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.
Think you know who your favorite team’s top cheerleaders of the week are? Check it out below!
NDA won top honors for its Game-Day and Traditional routine while Hill, Moore and Sea all took second across three different levels of competition. Olivia Winters, center, is a Top Performer for Moore Catholic this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)(Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)
Moore Catholic: Olivia Winters
After coming back in time from a medical issue to perform at the Archdiocesan regional, coach Julia Scarola elected to name the junior as the Mavericks’ top performer.
“She’s been nothing but amazing [after coming back], and was really just determined,” said Scarola of the side base. “She knew what she wanted to do, and she went in and did it despite everything that was against her. She really did amazing this week.”
NDA won top honors for its Game-Day and Traditional routine while Hill, Moore and Sea all took second across three different levels of competition. Camryn Sagaria, bottom, is a Top Performer for NDA this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com
Notre Dame Academy: Siena Delessio (Traditional) and Camryn Sagaria (Game-Day)
Being one of three freshmen on NDA’s traditional mat, along with playing a big role in both the Gators’ pyramids and tumbling portion, Delessio earned top honors for both her adaptability and presence.
“She’s proved more than once now that she knows how to stay calm during the routine and never lets the pressure of being a main base get to her,” said Andréa Vindigni. “When our double dragon skill got a little wonky, Siena stayed calm and did what she was supposed to do to keep control of the stunt. She can handle the pressure at competition and did a great job on [Sunday].”
Meanwhile Sagaria, a sophomore tumbler who does a little of everything for the Grymes Hill school, was named a top performer for her energy on the gameday mat.
“Camryn doesn’t stop moving during our game-day performance – she’s a main sign girl, a tumbler, and holds both a shoulder sit and shoulder stand,” said Vindigni. “Her performance was sharp and fun to watch on Sunday, as she kept the crowd engaged with her facials and her ability to lead the crowd.
“She has been making her corrections at practice and it showed on the mat.”
NDA won top honors for its Game-Day and Traditional routine while Hill, Moore and Sea all took second across three different levels of competition. Melina Pennisi is a Top Performer for Sea this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)(Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea: Melina Pennisi and Alexis Testaverde
Pennisi, a senior flyer for the Vikings, earned the recognition for her fight and leadership on the team.
“She’s been pushing herself to improve from week to week, and is able to fight to hit her stunts while looking beautiful in the air,” said head coach Kim Kukal. “She’s also a leader on the team and wants nothing more than for every cheerleader on that mat to succeed.”
Testaverde, a side-base and tumbler, earned it for both her performance on and off the mat.
“She’s a strong base who’s always pushing to hit her stunts, and is also a powerful tumbler,” said Kukal of the junior. “Her positive energy is [also] infectious, as she can help calm the nerves of her teammates and makes sure they believe in themselves.”
NDA won top honors for its Game-Day and Traditional routine while Hill, Moore and Sea all took second across three different levels of competition. Julianna Osario is a Top Performer for Hill this week. (Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)(Annie DeBiase for the Advance/SILive.com)
St. Joseph Hill: Julianna Osario and Gianna Pizzo
As Hill’s only senior, Osario earned top honors for her leadership and energy.
“Jules is someone that our girls look to for guidance, and is quick to encourage her teammates both on and off the mat,” said Hill coach Kai Bingham. “She also starts our routine off strong with calling the first words for our cheer and [maintaining] that high energy throughout the entire routine.
“[She] performed a great routine this week and we are extremely proud of her determination!”
Pizzo, on the other hand, is a sophomore flyer who got the recognition for her consistency at CSI.
“Gianna came into competition week determined to show [her consistency] in both stunting and tumbling, and the skills she performed were controlled and consistent. It was exactly what we aimed for,” added Bingham. “She pushes herself to be better each week and it really shows in her performances.”