Junior Pee Wee Cheerleaders Get Second Chance in Regional Competition

Though the Junior Pee Wee cheerleaders did not place high enough to move on to the next round in last weekend's competition, the group of young girls have been given a second chance to make their way to Nationals.

This past Sunday, the group of 19 girls ages eight to eleven placed third out of four teams competing for the coveted spot to move on to the regional competition. Unfortunately, to move on to the Regional competition, the team had to place first or second in that meet. Disappointed, the team returned home but continued practicing for fun.

"The girls had no idea we still had a chance to go on to the next round," said head coach Lisa Medeiros who announced that the team would still be going on to the next level during the team's practice on Tuesday night. "They thought it was over and we're just practicing... to practice."

The team may have fallen short of the top two spots, but because they were within a small number of points from the second place team, they were invited to move on to the next competition that will be held in Worcester on Nov. 19. The group will be competing against five other teams in the next meet and the top two teams will go on to Nationals that will be held on Dec. 6, in Florida.

"I think they have a good chance," Medeiros said. "But at this age, many of the teams have a good chance. We're just happy they asked us to go on to the next round and we'll just have so see how it goes."

Medeiros said the East Bay Warrior Midget cheerleaders, comprised of 12 girls ages 12-15 are already going to nationals and hope the Junior Pee Wees can join them. If the Junior Pee Wees place first or second in regionals, they'll be joining the Midget team in fundraising efforts around town to fund their trip.

"It costs about $2,000 for a child and parent to go to nationals," Medeiros said. "So the kids are going to need a lot of support from the community just to be able to go."

Medeiros said there are already donation canisters stationed at local businesses including , Balasco's Pizza, and to support the teams. She says more fundraisers will follow.

Junior Pee Wee cheerleaders include Rachel Achilli, Julia Balasco, Sydney Brule, Hannah Carvalho, Tatum Costa, Jaylin DeMarco, Carina Francis, Marissa Grenier, Julianna Hughes, Machala Komiega, Amanda Marshall, Cassidy Martel, Rebecca Proulx, Jade Ramos, Yvonne Ramos, Lisa Reed, Hanah Rimoshytus, Caleigh St Angelo and Molly Thibaudea.