Wantagh Varsity Cheerleaders Gearing Up For National Stage

The Wantagh High School varsity cheerleading squad will be competing on a national stage next month.

The cheerleaders qualified for the National High School Cheerleading Championships for the first time in program history. The competition is considered the most prestigious cheerleading championship in the country and is held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 9-10. The event will be nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to more than 100 million homes and 32 countries this year.

The team qualified by competing at the Empire Regionals at Hofstra University on December 8th in the small varsity division. The Seaford High School varsity cheerleading team will also be taking part in the national competition.

In addition to their upcoming performance in Orlando, the Wantagh cheerleaders also qualified for the Long Island Finals to be held on Feb. 3 at Suffolk Community College. A team must place at a regular season competition to qualify and. Wantagh’s has placed at all they have taken part in so far in the 2012/13 school year.

“This team is by far the most hard working, dedicated and driven group the Wantagh cheerleading program has ever seen,” said Jenna Cucci, a who coaches the squad along with Katie Savage. “It has been such an amazing year so far. I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings.”

Members of the Wantagh cheerleading squad include Colleen Frezza (captain); Gabi Paradiso (captain); Victoria Thomas (captain); Kathleen Hill (captain); Jennifer Giacone; Sam Scarano; DJ Delgais; Tara Findlay; Christina Kalinoglu; Nicole Urso; Lauren Coppola; Marisa Drago; Alyssa Sidoti; Alexa Federlin; Arianna Hill; Kristen Calautti and Taylor Adragna.