AIM Jefferson from Butler, New Jersey • A9

0 SPORTS 'Ire I9K iHKNBSiHnfvl Ik HKHSanl BBSs yjSsHMHnHJH 5 PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE COVENEY The Jefferson Township High School Varsity Cheerleading squad was named the National and Grand Champions of the American Masters Championship competition held at the Convention Center in Baltimore, MD from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. HIGH SCHOOL Varsity Cheerleaders take top honors at Nationals flnKBHEflSH jjli Mfet The Jefferson Township High School Varsity Cheerleaders recently represented their school and became both National and Grand Champions at the American Masters Championships held at the Convention Center in Baltimore, MD. It was a two-day competition starting Saturday, Jan.

31 and ending on Sunday, Feb. 1. Doors were open each day from 8 a.m. and lasted well into the evening, with the last awards ceremony held at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

There were a wide range of categories from Open Dance, All-Star Dance, Cheer Solo, School Cheer Teams and Stunt Groups to All-Star Cheer Squads. Teams came from as far away as Florida to show their skills and all were determined to win the National Championship Trophy. The State of New Jersey was highly represented in this Championship, as well as Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The Convention Center was packed with enthusiastic parents, friends and other family members cheering on their children. The Varsity Cheerleading Squad from Jefferson Township was entered in the School Cheer -Varsity Super Large Category.

Thirty-one girls competed in what was the most electrifying and dazzling performance of the first day, but the other high school teams had their work cut out for them. The scores from the judges were so close that it was going to be a bat tle of skill and endurance. The score from Saturday was considered only one third of the total for both days. Knowing this, the Jefferson Falcons had to be close to perfect in their routine on Sunday. It literally came down to the wire as these girls were the last to perform.

They knew what they had to do and went up on stage and worked their magic on the judges and spectators. These girls have practiced non-stop since the summer and their solid routine proved that they were the top team to beat. Not only did they become the National Champions in their category, but they also had the highest score of the competition and were named the Grand Champions. The Jefferson Senior Stunt Groups came away with first and second place trophies. They were not finished yet; the judges also awarded the team with a Judges' Choice Award for Best Pyramid.

Terri McCarney, Head Coach of the team, had much to say about her cheerleaders and the season. "This season has been one for the record books. To win not only first place, but overall in almost every competition just goes to show the hard work and dedication these girls put in this year. To be able to win the S.C.I.L. competition for the first time and it being the last time it would be held, was a dream come true.

All teams were so talented that the title could have gone to any one of us," McCarney said. Coach McCarney will have to PHOTO COURTESY OF JANET THOMPSON The Jefferson Varsity Cheerleaders were awarded the Judges' Choice Award for best pyramid of the entire competition at the American Masters Championships in Baltimore, MD. Jamie Thompson. Fittingly, these girls have been cheering together since childhood and they will leave with many memories that will last a lifetime. Submitted by -Debbie Coveney say goodbye to eleven seniors.

She stated, "This senior group is one that I will never forget. The girls were the most positive and influential role models for the underclassmen that I have ever seen. We are not only a team, but a family. These seniors made this team the champions they are today. I will love them all and will miss them dearly." The graduating seniors are Kaitlin Conway, Alexa Coveney, Casey Fasano, Brooke Lapszynski, Ally Monarque, Ashley Mueller, Ashley Neumann, Nicole Quimby, Megan Rapp, Christine Spaan and.