Riverhead Varsity Cheer Team Heads To Nationals

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Riverhead varsity cheer team is once again shining as they head to the Universal Cheerleaders Association's national competition in Orlando soon.

Parent Francine Pantaleo expressed her pride in the girls after the recent Empire Regional Competition: "Our varsity girls pulled out a terrific routine and won second place and a bid to nationals in Orlando at regionals at Long Island University," she said. "All this with only nine athletes."

She added: "The girls are small but mighty! All the moms say it. They continue to amaze."

Coach Stephanie Piraino was thrilled for her athletes: "This year, we did something that Riverhead cheerleading has never done. Not only did we win a bid in two varsity events, game day and traditional cheer, but we did it with nine athletes."

She added: "This is so incredible because with nine there is zero room for error. Every single athlete on the mat has to pull their own weight, be their very best, and shine at every point in the routine."

She and the other varsity coaches Susan Ries and Chelsea Cawley are "beyond proud" of how hard "these incredible athletes have worked," she said.

Not only did they have to rework their routine soon before the season began, but they did it with a positive attitude and a sense of purpose, Piraino said.

As the Riverhead cheerleading coach for 16 years, Piraino said she is beyond proud to work with the girls. "They are taking ownership of their routine, putting in the work every day, and stepping up to this challenge. Our motto has always been, 'Anything is possible with hard work.' And the end result of the Empire Regional competition this weekend showed our girls that this really is true."

Coming in second out of 14 was an incredible accomplishment, Piraino said. "Now we continue to work as we are heading to Orlando in mid-February to compete at the prestigious USA high school nationals."