Ramapo Cheerleaders Compete in Nationals

After placing fourth in their level last year, the Ramapo High School Cheerleaders have the chance prove themselves and contend with teams from all over the nation again, at the ESPN World Wide Sports Complex.

The cheerleaders had one 2-minute and 30-second routine on Saturday to showcase their best moves in the 2011 Youth and Recreation Cheer Nationals competition. The team traveled to the happiest place on earth from Wednesday to Sunday to go head-to-head with some of the most competitive squads.

The Ramapo squad competed for cash prizes of $1,000 against one of the same teams from last year.

“We’ve gotten a lot better from last year,” Laura Yackocetsky, one of four senior varsity captains, said. “We have a full tumbling team, which makes us a lot more advanced. There will be good teams there, but we can definitely beat them.”

“Our fliers are really flexible and sturdy in the air,” Yackocetsky added, which she said gives the team even more of an advantage.

This is the second year the girls are competing in nationals. Last year, they placed fourth out of eight teams in their division and 12th out of the 42 teams in the entire competition. The team left on Wednesday and will return Sunday. Competition day is Saturday.

“Our only weakness is when we went last year our stunts were a little shaky,” Melissa Badaracco, a senior captain, said. “We’ve done everything better, though, in our practices. The only thing that affects us is nerves. This is a big arena for some of the new girls.”

To attend the trip in Disney World, the team fundraised more than $14,000 this year with a slew of events, such as bake sales, cheesecake fundraisers and hosting a competition.

The score sheet is divided into categories such as jumps, tumbling, individual stunts and overall routine. Sharpness in each of these categories is especially important.

“The judges watch everything,” Laura Yackocetsky said, one of the four senior varsity cheer captains.

The team has 16 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who have been practicing Tuesday through Saturday since August, after an intensive two-week all-star camp. Every member attends tumbling practice, as well, once a week outside of their team’s practice.

"We only had two or three weeks to get our routine down, and everyone did a good job,” Badaracco said.

The captains had to teach a few new members the routine even sooner, and get them up to speed with the rest of the girls. Still, Badaracco said the new cheerleaders were able to learn and perfect their form quickly.

Overall, Coach Kristy McGoldrick said the girls have the same level of talent, for the most part.

“They can all do a standing backhand spring, which is a requirement for varsity” McGoldrick said. “They all go to tumbling and practice every week. They’re all on same level. They went to chorography camp in August and have been practicing together ever since.”

This season, one of their biggest accomplishments has been winning first place in their division and the overall championship at the Lyndhurst High School Cheer Competition in January. They have competed six times so far.

The win has given the girls the confidence they need to succeed in the nationals.

“The girls feel that they’re very ready for this competition,” McGoldrick said before leaving for the trip.

The girls are returning tonight. How did they fare in the competition? We will let you know as soon as we find out!