Under The Radar And Over The Top
Monticello’s Second Annual Cheerleading Competition Features Outstanding Athletic Performances of Skill, Grace And Strength From The SPORT That Is Under-Appreciated; Cornwall Wins Small Varsity and Minisink Valley Takes Junior Varsity In Electrifying Five-School Early Season Display
Junior Varsity: Minisink Valley 230.5; Cornwall 217
Small Varsity: Cornwall 251; Newburgh 249.5; Washingtonville 231; Fallsburg 215
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Scenes from the Second Annual Monticello Cheerleading Competition (clockwise) Tumbling expertise evinced by a Cornwall cheerleader, Great jump skills by Newburgh cheerleaders, Cornwall's pyramid was part of its winning small schools routine. Fallsburg's Mekayla Pernesvi earns props as Comets win the longest held extension competition. A Newburgh cheerleader flies in a great aerial flyaway. Fallsburg cheerleaders are awesome even in the early part of the season. A Minisink Valley junior varsity cheerleader rises above the outstretched arms of her teammates who tossed her and will soon deftly catch her. Washingtonville cheerleaders show their jumping synchronicity.
MONTICELLO, NY—I’ve been involved with athletics all my life as a fan, a marathon runner, a long distance swimmer and an award-winning sportswriter. I was even selected as Sports Writer of the Year by the New York Press Association in 2008 so I believe my perspective on athletics carries some weight.
So let me say this clearly and without reservation: Cheerleading is a SPORT. And not just any sport. It’s rigorous, demanding and requires a mind-altering array of skills, timing, strength and determination.
We’re not talking here about pom-pom waving girls who just smile and cheer at basketball games.We’re talking about teams that often include members of both genders rendering untold hours of preparation for complex routines, dances, stunts, lifts, flying and catching of airborne athletes, all done with unfathomable precision and synchronicity.
Wave of the future: Minisink Valley's Junior Varsity wins out over Cornwall's J.V and completes its routine with this nifty pyramid.
Frankly, I defy many naysayers who have probably never been to a cheerleading competition to witness some of the stunning athleticism on display at Monticello’s Second Annual Cheerleading Competition held on January 7 to maintain their insipid insistence that cheerleading is not a sport.
Cheerleading’s thrust to be included in the canon of high school sports in an ongoing battle, not made easier by the lack of media attention once again exemplified at this year’s Monticello event. Yes, I was the only professional media person on hand. But hey, as far as the regional newspapers are concerned, it’s their loss. Unfortunately they do a great disservice to these fine athletes by passing up events such as this.
A year ago when Monticello Coach Kelly Keesler staged Monticello’s first cheerleading competition, the number of schools on hand (nine) was significantly greater than this year (five). Keesler who is expecting a baby turned over the coaching reins to her talented assistant Jesus Rodriguez, but she was on hand this year to help organize the dazzling event which drew a large crowd of spectators from the participating schools as well as cheerleaders from local schools who weren’t competing this time out.
This year’s field featured junior varsity squads from Minisink Valley coached by Deanna Archiere and Cornwall coached by Kelly Channell and small varsity squads from Cornwall coached by Betty Channell, Washingtonville coached by Jane Nienstadt, Newburgh coached by Rosana Diaz and Fallsburg coached by Kiffanie Rodgers and Hope Mickelson. Each team had an opportunity to warm up and practice its routine on the mat before the competition got underway.
Fallsburg represents Sullivan County and shows its mettle with its great jumping skills. The Lady Comets finished fourth in the small varsity competition.
It’s early in the season and that kept Sullivan West and Liberty from entering this year, though cheerleaders from both schools were on hand to watch and learn. Monticello, which graduated 15 of its 22 cheerleaders who had spent their entire tenure under Keesler’s dynamic leadership, played host but did not compete. They are still building their routine for the OCIAA Cheerleading Championships which will be held at Kingston High School on February 18.
Washingtonville is the reigning OCIAA Small School Division I Champion. Pine Bush will defend the large school Division I crown, while John S. Burke Catholic hopes to retain its small school Division II title. Last year’s championships were held at Sullivan County Community College and were attended by a packed house of rabid fans. It was a big boost to the sport.
At this year’s Monticello showdown, Minisink Valley’s junior varsity edged Cornwall’s JV squad 230.5 to 217. Talent abounded on both squads with great lifts, smooth routines and vibrant spirit.
Great music and narration was provided by Sounds Wizards Entertainment D.J. Kenny Vandermark throughout the morning. Each team brought its own music tracks to perform to but in between, the rhythmic pulse from Vandermark’s awesome bevy of songs had the fans dancing in the aisles and the host Monticello cheerleaders showing their moves.
Aerial finesse: Newburgh took second place but in terms of its airborne flying, it was tops by far.
In fact many of the cheerleaders from all of the participating schools and a few of their coaches including Fallsburg’s Kiffanie Rodgers were out on the mat busting moves during the open dancing segment that took place prior to the awards announcements.
Cornwall was this year’s victor in the small schools varsity division with 251 points as they edged out high-flying Newburgh whose aerial acrobatics were stunning to say the least. The Goldback Nation garnered an impressive 249.5 points. Washingtonville, which had a few glitches that hurt an otherwise stellar outing was third with 231 and Sullivan County’s lone participant, Fallsburg was fourth with 215.
The Lady Comets were very impressive though given the early date of this outing. Spirited, agile and captivating in their black and gold uniforms, they drew cheers from their adoring fans. Those cheers grew louder when diminutive Mekayla Pernesvi won the longest held extension competition outlasting teammate Keri Seastrand as Fallsburg endured longer than the other competing teams.
Washingtonville squads dueled each other for the longest held lift while the Wizards also captured the highest toss competition.
Monticello coach Jesus Rodriguez thanked Keesler for her immeasurable impact on Monticello cheerleading and her selfless devotion over the years. The team presented her with a teddy bear and they posed for a photo at the conclusion of the morning’s events.
Closing glimpse: Monticello cheerleaders honor former coach Kelly Keesler who is expecting a baby. Champion Cornwall's small varsity, Fallsburg finished fourth, Minisink Valley junior varsity winners,dancers galore, Washingtonville finished third.
Just a few pointers here on how the teams are judged: Categories include the skills of Motion and Footwork that are assessed for their variety, placement, sharpness, synchronicity and team cheer value. Stunts are viewed for their variety and technique, control, synchronicity. Pyramids and/or Basket Tosses are adjudged for their control, flexibility and synchronicity. Jumps must have height, control, landings with feet together and pointed toes. Tumbling must be done with control, good height, landing with feet together and synchronicity.
In addition Cheerleaders are assessed for Voice and Showmanship (loudness, pitch, enunciation and pep), Crowd Leading and Appeal (great energy and facial expression, confidence, fun and exuberance).
Finally points are amassed for Transitions, Formations and Spacing and Overall Presentation of Routine.
Given the complex judging criteria, one can easily affirm the difficulty of mastering so many skills and the rigorous training that goes into doing so. Cheerleading is indeed a sport and a demanding one at that.
I Can’t wait for the OCIAA Championships this year. Check out the array of photos from the Second Annual Monticello Cheerleading Competition at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
