Norton Lady Black Knights Cheers to Success

University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center, October 18, 2014: The Norton Black Knights Youth Football and Cheer Organization capped off a very successful inaugural season as their Lady Black Knights Cheer Squads took the mats at the University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center in front of a capacity crowd nearing 2,000 for the 2014 Blackstone Valley Cheer Competition. The competition hosted by NBC’s Channel 10 News’ Barbara Morse-Smith had over 80 cheer squads competing from twenty organizations across the Blackstone Valley American Youth Football and Cheer Organization with teams in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The Norton Lady Black Knights Eight Years and Under Large Division (8U) Cheer Squad was selected to get the competition started with the first routine of the competition and they did not disappoint as they took home the Best Crowd Appeal Trophy in their first year as a new organization. The members of the 8U Cheer Squad are… Koral-Ann Chaffee, Ava Doyle, Riley Glass, Devon Keenan, Chloe Luciano, Ava Menyo, Ryley O’Rourke, Sarah Regan & Avery Schuchardt. The Coaching Staff for 8U is Emily Melberg – Student Demonstrator, Julie Doyle – Assistant Coach & Jessica Menyo – Head Coach

Later on in the competition the Flag Division (ages 5-7) took the stage and with 2,000 people screaming and cheering for these young ladies and the big lights, the big noise did not phase these big hearts as they won the Best Showmanship Trophy as the future looks bright for these young cheerleaders. The members of the Flag Squad are… Destiny Bolton, Abigail Edgehille, Maddie Foisy, Caitlyn Healey, Sabrina Higgins, Riley Hoffman, Ava McGrath & Gabriella Rodriguez. The Coaching Staff for Flag is Kari Briggs & Sadie Scott –Student Demonstrators, Jenn Hoffman – Assistant Coach & Holli Fitzgerald – Head Coach.

Then the largest and most challenging portion of the competition had the 12 and Under (12U) take the mats and come away with a very major achievement by finishing Top Five in a division filled with cheer squads with over seven years together as a team. The first year 12U Lady Black Knights made an incredible impact in their first year cheering together with this Top Five finish. The members of the 12U Cheer Squad are… Casey Ball, Alexia Chaffee, Georgette Chaffee, Megan Melberg, Starr Scott & Annika Waugh. The Coaching Staff for 12U are Allison Melberg – Student Demonstrator, Tina Melberg – Assistant Coach & Diane Waugh – Head Coach.

These ladies worked hard in preparing for the 2014 Blackstone Valley Cheer Competition which was held in a venue deserving of their hard work and efforts in a huge collegiate setting. The University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center is a venue that has seen college basketball championships, numerous sold out concerts and now is home to the Blackstone Valley Cheer Competition. The Norton Black Knights represented our town with pride and spirit as they blazed the stage in our first year as a brand new organization. The Norton Black Knights continues to break the mold of the status quo and looks to create new partnerships through the community and we are pleased to announce that the Norton Black Knights have teamed up with the Brand New O’Leary’s Gymnastics Center located in 350 Old Colony Road. This partnership will allow all ages the opportunity to learn and grow through an outstanding Cheer/Tumble program throughout the offseason and beyond. Check out our partnership at the OGC’s Open House on December 21st from 1-6pm. Working together today for the Norton Varsity Lancers of Tomorrow.

Who Are The Norton Black Knights… The Norton Black Knights Youth Football & Cheer Organization is a brand new program in the Town of Norton, Mass that belongs to the American Youth Football Conference that is the largest football and cheer organization in the world. In their first year as a new organization the Norton Black Knights had 100 football players and cheerleaders in four football teams and three cheer squads. American Youth Football is an age/grade based organization that believes that all children should have the right to play with their friends and not be excluded against due to their weight. Children, who learn together, play in the playground together, should be able to play football together. The Norton Black Knights believe that cheerleaders should be able to be in venues and quality competitions and exhibitions that are deserving of their hard work. The Norton Black Knights believe that all children should have the right to go to any heights and levels of competition and beyond. For more information on the Norton Black Knights please check out www.nortonyouthfootball.com or https://www.facebook.com/NortonBlackKnights?ref=br