Rumson-Fair Haven youth cheer team takes 2nd at NJAYF Jersey Shore Cheer Championships
RUMSON, N.J. — 6 years. 13 days. 2.5 minutes. 2nd place.
6 years.
After a 6-year absence, the RFH cheer league brought back a competition team. The current D10 Comp team’s journey started in August. Eighteen girls joined. The team had two goals – cheer for the fall football teams and compete in the 2022 NJAYF Jersey Shore Cheer Championships.
The latter goal was lofty. They would compete against experienced and highly trained teams. Three of the D10 Comp girls were brand new to the sport. Most others were just starting their second season. Stunts and tumbling were brand new to all of them – just introduced this year in preparation for the competition. They did not have a paid coach, consultant, or choreographer. Many other competitive cheer teams have all three. The team only practiced and performed during football season. Most of the other teams they would compete against practiced year round. They were a truly homegrown program. Add all that up and they would be underdogs in their first-ever competition. But they were dedicated – practicing over five hours weekly, in addition to cheering at at least one football game each weekend.
13 days.
On a Sunday in early October, the RFH D10 Comp team attended their competition review. This was an opportunity for the team to receive feedback from the judges that would ultimately evaluate their routine at the competition. Points are awarded both on the difficulty and execution of the routine. Their execution was solid. However, the feedback was that, as compared to the other teams they would compete against, the difficulty level of the stunts and tumbling was too low to earn enough points to place.
Following the feedback, the easy thing would have been to proceed with their current routine, with the confidence that comes from all the practice they put into it. But, the determined girls refused to settle. With the support of the team and parents, significant strategic changes were made to get on par with the teams they would compete against – all with less than two weeks before the competition. The girls, who had other activities and school, doubled down on their practices and dedication – including practicing five days per week.
2.5 minutes.
8:00 am on Saturday, October 22nd came too quickly. On the drive to the Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton, the girls passed the decorated caravans of other teams. The space was enormous. The wall of trophies shimmered. The 2,500+ spectators were loud. The other 54 teams were clearly prepared. The Bulldogs were nervous, but they knew they were just as prepared as the other teams. And they knew that they had each other – often holding hands, hugging, and pumping each other up.
Their time came after waiting for two hours. They had two minutes and thirty seconds to impress the judges. That’s all. One shot. Their performance was amazing. But, all the teams’ performances in their division were too.
2nd Place.
The great news came after another two-hour wait for the awards ceremony. They came in Second Place in their division! Not only that, but they got zero penalties and points deducted – meaning that they did not miss any of their planned stunts or tumbles and they executed their routine safely and within the guidelines.Their perseverance paid off! This brand new, homegrown team got second place in their first year!
The girls are ready for next year, and plan to participate in more competitions.
If you want to congratulate them when you see them around town, the team was comprised of Brooke Bachstetter, Kendall Bachstetter, Olivia Bartz, Catherine Bruno, Olivia Bruno, Carys Collins, Colette Dunckley, Darby Frangione, Bailey Gayda, Emily Langenberger, Elizabeth Larney, Samantha Leasor, Mila Magarro, Hayley Nastro, Evelyn Shockley, Mackenzie Traina, Isabella Veninata, and Zoe Warner. The team was led by Head Coach Jocelyn Jeffries-Bruno; Assistant Coaches Lynn Bachstetter, Laura Rodgers, Tara Langenberger, and Abry Traina; and Team Parent Vita Larney.
For those interested in learning more about RFH AYC cheer, please contact: Jocelyn Jeffires-Bruno ([email protected]) or Abry Traina ([email protected]).
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