Printer Friendly Version - North Haven Cheerleading Wins Class L State Title

The North Haven cheerleading team took home a state title by placing first in the Class L State Championship at Floyd Little Center on March 3. Pictured are (front) Renee Myjak, Sarina Sandwell, Abby Haggerty, and Jillian Rowland; (middle) Maddie LaDore, Alyssa Konspore, Grace Peruso, Maxine Samperi, and assistant coach Melissa Thomas; (back) Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi, Sophie Kornacki, Alyssa Cannavaciolo, Emily Orth, Marissa Mulligan, Alexis Votto, Jacki Moses, Alexa Cappella, and assistant coach Kayla Crisafi. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

One month after winning a conference crown, the North Haven cheerleading team made the 2019 season a double-banner campaign by bringing home a state title last weekend.

North Haven was one of 22 teams that competed at the Class L Cheerleading State Championship at Floyd Little Athletic Center on March 3. The Indians claimed their second state title in program history by earning a score of 169.80 with their performance, finishing several points ahead of runner-up Mercy (163.00) for the top spot in the standings. Earlier in the postseason, North Haven took first place in the All-Girl Division at the Southern Connecticut Conference Championship, giving the Indians their third SCC title.

Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi said that her team was determined to win a state championship following its victory at the SCC meet. Every day in practice, someone would reinforce the fact that states was the Indians’ primary focus. Crisafi told her athletes that they just had to do their job, and everything would fall into place.

“We told our kids they had everything to win. They have worked hard all season for this,” said Crisafi, whose team won its first state title in 2011. “This is a great group of kids, and we couldn’t be happier for them. They have worked every day in practice and never questioned how hard we pushed them as coaches. They have great senior leadership that made them see the vision of winning this tournament.”

The members of this year’s 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, Jacki Moses, Marissa Mulligan, and Alexis Votto; sophomores Emily Orth, Maddie LaDore, and Grace Peruso; and freshman Maxine Samperi.

While it’s always a team effort, Coach Crisafi said that her seniors led the charge to take North Haven to the top of the state this season. Crisafi was proud that her senior leaders set an exceptional example for the team’s younger athletes to follow, both on and off the mat.

“They had the vision of winning states, and their focus never wavered. They talked all the time about being a family and always having each other’s backs,” Crisafi said. “Beyond their talent, their determination and drive to success will be hard to duplicate.”

By virtue of its finish at state meet, North Haven has earned the right to represent Connecticut at the New England Cheerleading Championship in Worcester, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 16. Coach Crisafi said that competing at the regional meet will be a great way to conclude a storybook season for the Indians.

“This year will be hard to duplicate. They have exceeded all our expectations,” said Crisafi. “We just love these kids. They are a coach’s dream.”

Crisafi is in her 37th season as North Haven’s head coach. The Indians’ assistant coaches are Melissa Thomas, Kayla Crisafi, Jason Burroughs, and Michael Ricci.

The Indians perform their victorious routine at last weekend’s Class L state meet. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier