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02/02/2019 11:00 PMThe Indians’ cheerleading team hit the floor to compete at the Southern Connecticut Conference Championship that took place in its home gym at North Haven High School on Feb. 2. North Haven put on a performance that impressed their fans in the stands, as well as the judges, and came away from the day with the SCC title in its grasp.
North Haven claimed first place in the All-Girl Division when it hosted the SCC Cheerleading Championship last week. The Indians posted a team score of 87.05 points to finish at the top of the 13-team field and dethrone defending champion Shelton, which took second place with an 86.05. Shelton had placed first at last season’s conference meet, while North Haven finished as the runner-up.
This year’s victory marked the third SCC title for Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi’s program. North Haven finished first in the All-Girl Division in 2011 and won first prize in the Co-ed Division in 2017.
Coach Crisafi said that her athletes have been putting their noses to grindstone throughout the campaign. She was thrilled that the Indians’ effort and execution yielded another conference crown.
“We told our kids going in that they had to work hard and only focus on themselves. They didn’t have control over anything except their own performance,” said Coach Crisafi. “And like all season, they practiced hard. They are a group who never complains about hard work. They just dig in. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.”
Shelton had finished first every time that it competed in the All-Girl Division prior to this year. Coach Crisafi said taking the title from Shelton was a huge accomplishment, especially since the Gaels turned in a fine performance in their own right. However, in the end, North Haven’s routine featured the perfect blend of skills and showmanship that propelled the Indians to their first-place finish.
“Historically, Shelton is the powerhouse of this tournament. Once again, they performed beautifully. Unfortunately for them, we were a little bit better,” Crisafi said. “We kept saying to the kids, ‘Someday, it is going to happen. Someone is going to beat them.’ It was wonderful moment to realize that we had.”
The athletes on the 2018-’19 North Haven cheerleading team are senior captains Abby Haggerty, Renee Myjak, and Sarina Sandwell; fellow senior Jillian Rowland; juniors Alexa Cappella, Alyssa Cannavaciolo, Alyssa Konspore, Sophie Kornacki, Marissa Mulligan, and Alexis Votto; sophomores Emily Orth, Maddie LaDore, and Grace Peruso; and freshman Maxine Sampieri.
Haggerty, Myjak, and Kornacki earned All-SCC honors by virtue of their performances at the Conference Championship. Also, for the first time, the SCC handed out a Coaches Merit Award to an athlete who exemplifies strong character, while excelling athletically, academically, and in the community. The SCC’s coaches casted their votes and presented the inaugural Coaches’ Merit Award to senior captain Sandwell.
Coach Crisafi said the leadership of her seniors has been integral in North Haven’s success this season. She went on to praise her team as a whole for displaying the dedication that was necessary to capture the conference title.
“We are so grateful for our senior leadership. They are the main cog of this machine,” said Crisafi. “We, as a coaching staff, couldn’t be prouder. They are a great group of kids that would go through a brick wall for us.”
The Indians have a few more invitational meets on their schedule, after which they will compete at the State Championship on Saturday, March 2. North Haven came in third place at last year’s Class L State Championship meet. With one title already locked up, Coach Crisafi said that North Haven is determined to double up at the state meet.
“We learned that we have the routine, the talent, and the commitment to beat any team,” Crisafi said. “We will go back into the gym, focusing again on what we can do to improve ourselves, work hard, and aim for the title. This team now believes in themselves.”