NAHS Cheerleaders onto PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships

NAHS varsity cheerleaders qualify for the state PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships in Hershey

 The Norristown Area High School Varsity Cheerleaders will compete this weekend in the PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships hosted by the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. This is the first time the team has ever participated in this type of state qualifier.

“We are very excited to compete in the preliminary round on Friday January 24th. Semi-finals and finals will take place Saturday Jan 25th,” Coach Kelli (Watson) said.

The competition cheerleaders, Charniece Clinkscales, Marisa Colliluori, Melissa Dasilvio, Alexus DeBraganza, Amber Fernandez, Taylor Fox, Chloe Graham, Arianna Hinkle, Brianna Hinkle, Autumn Hudson, Dayzha Lucas-Rogers, Corrine Smith, Christina Smith, Nia Smith, and Maddie Walsh, are joined by Coach Kelli and Assistant Coach Jen (Hudson).

The team has worked hard to get to this point and they are ready and very excited for the opportunity to compete against other teams in the same size division.  The weekend of January 11, the team competed in the District One qualifying competition at William Tennent High School and came in 2nd in the small division, which placed them among the top 13 squads advancing to the PIAA Competitive Spirit.

The road to the PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships began with goal setting during the summer months.  “We set our sights high and set this as a goal - to make it to Hershey,” said she said.  “Our team motto is no excuses. The philosophy behind it meaning whatever it takes to succeed - never give up.”

The cheerleaders start their season in August by attending Line Forest Cheerleading Camp and go on to cheer during football and basketball games and participate in competitions January through March. Practices are held 4 days a week during the season, including tumbling practice and Saturday practices. Thus far this year, the girls have competed at the District One competition, placing second and the Plymouth White Marsh competition, placing first.

Coach Kelli is in her 6th year coaching at Norristown. “The program has continually been building and is getting stronger and more competitive every year. A lot of hours go into this team behind the scene: competition season is the opportunity for everyone to finally see all of the hard work and determination for the athletes and coaches,” Coach Kelli said.

Coach Jen is the assistant coach working with the JV team this year. She has 13 years coaching experience working with the Conshohocken Bears. 

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Norristown Area School District, best of luck!