Printer Friendly Version - East Haven Cheer Has Best Season in Years

East Haven cheer squad members include (top) Deidra O'Connor, Julia Ryan, and Alexa Battaglina; (third row) Angela Perricone, Tia Speringo, Danielle Pepe, Ally Rivera, Kristy MacDougall, Marianne Integlina, Kaylee O'Brien, Alyssa Palmieri, Rachael Massey, Isabel Sayers, and Shannon Carey; (second row) Marissa Vittorio, Jessica Poirier, Angelina DeMarco, Carla Anania, Briana Dupuis, Tori DePalma, Briana Minichino, and Ashley Poirier; and (bottom) Head Coach Michelle Maru and Assistant Coach Krista Anania. Not pictured are Annie Coleman, Samantha Behler, and Nicki Gargano.

The East Haven cheerleading squad finished in sixth place at the Class M State Championship, which was the school's best finish dating back to before current Head Coach Michelle Maru entered the school as a freshman in 2003.

More importantly for this squad, they finished first at the New England Cheerleading Association competition that is held annually at East Haven High School. For the past three seasons, Maru's squad finished in second place, but captains Angelina DeMarco and Carla Anania led this group to its victory at this competition in years.

"This year we had a great group of girls who were determined to work their best in every aspect of competition and in return they ended the season with an amazing first-place win and a great score and place at states," Maru said.