Three Monroe Pop Warner cheerleading teams advance to regional competition
![Three Monroe Pop Warner cheerleading teams advance to regional competition The Pee Wees, in the back row from the left: Coaches Caila Friedman and Debra Jean McShea, Hannah West, Sofia Omar, Maddison Hickey, Gianna Tondo, Hannah OþÄôGrady, Marissa Mitchell, Hannah McShea, Victoria Basso, Coach Ted Nelson, Calina Padilla-Schweizer, Coach Dorian Tondo and Trainer Brianna Evans. Middle row: Coach Lori Calderone, Trainer Halle Smith, Trainer Sami MacFadden, Azules Rule, Deanna Calderone, Grace Kelly, Cassidy Weitzer, Arianna Nobles, Hannah Whitfield and Samantha Weinberg. First row: Daniella Guerra, Emily Tejada, Lauren Karas, Angela Dimare, Kaitlyn Trumper, Jade Alvarado, Elise Gaviola and Lauryn Laramore.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/768x396/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/IXGO/SPORTS_131039995_AR_0_0_PN20131030131039995_MG2635497.jpg)
![Three Monroe Pop Warner cheerleading teams advance to regional competition Provided photos The Junior Pee Wees at the recent RCPW County Competition at Monroe-Woodbury High School.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/616x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/WFGN/SPORTS_131039995_EP_1_0_PN20131030131039995_MG2635499.jpg)
![Three Monroe Pop Warner cheerleading teams advance to regional competition The Junior Pee Wees, in the back row from the left: Coach Robin Wolfenhaut, Trainer Katelyn McCarthy, Kelli Gatling, Gina Pirraglia, Veronica Woodley, Anastasia Nelson, Coach Louie Melendez, Olivianna Eiler, Caroline Kivlehan, Coach Mark Chapman, Haiely Genzale, Brittany Castellanos, Coach Joan Eiler, Hailey Proscia and Coach Lina Nelson. Middle row: Trainer Mary Ann Nelson, Julianne Wolfenhaut, Jaelyn Melendez, Madison Kreischer, Alyssa Caruso, Danielle Kelleher, Hailey Chapman, Makayla Donnelly and Trainer Sophia Quintana. First row: Jordyn Casserly, Alexis Newcomb, Brittany Francella, Carley Mackenzie and Phoebe Miale.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/768x424/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/NCGM/SPORTS_131039995_EP_2_0_PN20131030131039995_MG2635508.jpg)
![Three Monroe Pop Warner cheerleading teams advance to regional competition The Junior Midgets, in the back row from the left: Coach Caila Friedman, Kaitlyn Regan, Georgia Brink, Angelina Acosta, Lauren Friedman, Antonia Esposito, Mary Banville, Coach Lee Friedman and Coach Laurie Campbell. Middle row: Madison Smith, Riley Sikoryak, Nicole Rawiszer, Emily Campbell and Isabel Sterett. Front row: Trainers Kirstie Alvarez, Christina Torres and Lauren LaBella.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/675x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/TDGS/SPORTS_131039995_EP_3_0_PN20131030131039995_MG2635557.jpg)
CENTRAL VALLEY — The Monroe Pop Warner Pee Wees and Junior Midgets cheerleading squads earned first-place honors at the recent RCPW County Competition at Monroe-Woodbury High School.
Their placement allows the teams to advance to regional competition in Trenton, N.J., and Albany in the coming weeks to vie for a spot at the championships at Walt Disney World in December.
While the Junior Pee Wee squad didn’t compete against another team, its score was high enough to allow it to also advance to regional competition.
The teams were among 29 teams performing in various categories of size and skill levels at the competition.
The girls began work in August on their two minute, 30 second performances which includes demonstrating proficiency in stunting, tumbling, jumps, dance, timing, difficulty and overall squad performance.
“Due to their exceptional performance, they are all advancing to regionals,” wrote Coach Lee Friedman in a note to The Photo News. “Our younger teams (Mitey Mite and Tiny Mite) are only exhibition. They did a great job, too.”
This weekend, the teams and their sister squad, Mitey Mites, head to Utica to perform at the Empire State Classic Cheer Competition.
Monroe Pop Warner Cheerleading squads are comprised of about 125 girls. Sign-ups are usually held in February or March. The girls spend most of the season cheering for football players and practicing for seasonal competitions.
- Nancy Kriz