By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Shrewsbury – After winning a Division 1 state title and a third-place finish at the New England Interscholastic Spirit Championship, the Shrewsbury High School (SHS) cheerleaders are now celebrating what they are calling their “historic season.”
The team won its first-ever state title March 10 with a strong showing at the competition held at Tantasqua Regional High School in Fiskdale.? SHS competed against 12 other teams in Division 1 and won with a score of 182.75 out of 200 points.? Winning the title allowed the girls to go on to the New England regional meet, which was held in Lawrence March 16.
Prior to winning States, the team had won three consecutive invitational competitions as well as the Mid-Wach League Title and the Central Mass Regional Title.
Two teams from Maine came in first and second at the regional meet.? Lewiston High School successfully defended their title with a score of 188, besting second-place Mashwood High School, who finished with a score of 181.1.
The Colonials were thrilled with their final score of 177, which was enough to finish for third place.
For the past eight years, the team's head coach has been Marlena Jaillet.
“Placing in the top three at New England's is an amazing accomplishment for our team. There was so much emotion after winning states and I am proud of the girls for pushing hard for another week of practice to compete for the state of Massachusetts at the New England competition,” she said. “It was an honor to represent our state and come home with a trophy.”
Rachel Govoni, a senior and one of the team's co-captains, noted a strong work ethic was one the members all shared and a key to their success.
“We came to practice prepared and ready to work,” she said. “This proved true when we won Leagues, Regionals and our very first state championship title. Going to New England's was an honor, and placing third was quite an accomplishment.”
Another factor she said was the camaraderie the team had with each other.
“My cheerleading team has become a second family to me,” she said.
Olivia Joubert, another co-captain, agreed.
“Cheering has basically been my life for the past four years,” she said. “I'se watched this program grow stronger and stronger every year. It's amazing to finally reach the goal of winning States this year, and making school history. We are not just a team; we are a family; we have the longest season, spending August to March together.”
“My favorite part about competing is when you hit that perfect routine and in the dance you not only feel the crowd's energy, but each other's and you can’t help but be so proud of another. It's a total adrenaline rush. It's like being on a roller coaster: you hate the waiting and the anticipation of going up the hill, but when you finish the drop, you feel untouchable,” she added.
Joining Govoni and Joubert as senior co-captains were: Victoria Fields-Huggan, Lisa Liberty, Morgan McCarthy, and Marisa Rotunno.? Other members included: Vivianne Brandao, Paige Colicchio, Katie Confalone, Alie Curran, Jillian Fiore, Katie Gordon, Nicole Govoni, Kelly Jakubiak, Jackie Jordan, Alli Joubert, Alexa Kassos, Kayla Mattero, Rachel McManus, Justine Murphy, Brooke O”Neil, Jennifer Riedl, Marisa Rotunno and Becca Wallace.
Maria Smith is the team's assistant coach.
