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01/18/2017 11:00 PMMichael Ricci wanted to try something new during his junior year at North Haven High School. Michael was intrigued by the idea of joining the Indians’ cheerleading team and has since found his home in the program. After competing on the JV level last season, Michael is now preparing for his first varsity campaign with a team that he calls his “second family.”
“Being the only male to try out and be on the team pushed me to do it because I know a lot of people question should I do that or not because of certain aspects or social views. For me, I thought, ‘Why not? Let me give it a go and let’s go from there,’” says Michael, now a senior. “Knowing a lot of my friends were on the team and knowing I had their support gave me the optimism to want to continue doing it...My teammates always had open arms and I see this team as my second family. They’re just an amazing group.”
Michael is the first male athlete on Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi’s squad in its competitive era. With Michael on the varsity team this year, North Haven will now be competing in the co-ed division at its meets, including the SCC and State championships.
“It’s clearly a whole new world for us. I had guys on my team in the ‘80s, but we were not competitive at that time. As he came to us, he knew nothing about cheerleading and we knew nothing about the world of co-ed cheer,” says Crisafi of Michael. “He’s just a great kid and, we as a coaching staff, are enjoying learning the new facets with him because he’s willing to try anything. He tells me how cheer opened a new world for him, and he opened a new world for us. We’re all navigating this whole new journey together.”
The Indians are on the brink of beginning their competition season and Michael says that he can’t wait to get on the mat with his teammates.
“I am very excited and very confident in myself and my teammates for all the upcoming competitions. I am very excited to be a part of the team during this time of year,” says Michael. “I believe we will be successful. We’re a very determined group and we want to continue this streak of being a hard-working, determined group to strive to do better and be better for ourselves, as well as the name of the town.”
Michael knew nothing about cheerleading when he first joined the team, but has worked tirelessly to get to where he is now. Michael made it a point to learn everything he needed to know to earn his spot on the varsity squad this year.
“I just was attentive. I asked questions when I needed to and I was very focused,” says Michael. “I always kept pushing myself and my teammates just to try and understand.”
Coach Crisafi says that Michael brings a great attitude to practice and is like a sponge with the way he absorbs information and advice. Crisafi has nominated Michael to be a potential All-State selection this year.
“He’s such a coachable kid. The dynamic of coaching a guy is different,” Crisafi says. “The guys absorb what you say, listen to instruction, process it, and do it. We, as women, have a different makeup, where we question things. That approach allows him to do so much and be so good. He made such great progress in a short period of time.”
Michael learned so much in his first season that he was named North Haven’s Most Improved Player last year. It was a tremendous honor for Michael, who continues striving to be the best cheerleader he can on an everyday basis.
“Being awarded that, it showed me that even this year I can still improve a lot more than last year. Every single practice you learn something new, whether that be overcoming mental blocks or learning new techniques,” says Michael. “It definitely gave me more confidence in myself knowing that I improved from being thrown into cheerleading to getting that award. It gives me more room for improvement and, I know with the confidence it gave me, I can do a lot better.”