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04/06/2017 12:00 AMThe East Haven cheerleading team put forth excellent performances in its competitions this winter, and senior captain Alexa Battaglino says that it was her best season with the squad. Alexa’s road to the sport of cheerleading has featured many stops along the way.
“When I was younger, I was a gymnast, and then I decided to quit and went to dance. I started cheerleading in 6th grade and I’ve been doing that ever since,” says Alexa. “When I was a gymnast, my coach wanted me to compete, and I was actually petrified to compete when I was younger. I felt way too pressured, so I quit. I decided to pick up dance at a local studio for a few years and then I wanted something else. I realized I could go into the youth program, so I started out as a cheerleader...I’m really glad I did it.”
Alexa did gymnastics when she was between the ages of three and seven. After starting with cheerleading at age 11, Alexa’s self-confidence grew, allowing her to perform with ease in front of a crowd. Alexa was named a captain for the Easties in her recent senior season, and it was an honor that she felt thrilled to have.
“It means everything to me. I was so honored to know my team and coaches voted me captain. I was lucky enough to share this season with four great seniors. I would’ve been happy with any of us as captain. We all deserved it, and I was really honored that I got it. It was a lot of fun. I didn’t have too much power, because everyone should have a say, but being a leader made it better,” says Alexa. “Because of the success we had this year, it made it amazing. It was the best year I’ve had in my high school career. It was a perfect way to end. I’m so upset cheerleading is ending for me. I had a few colleges that I applied to and their cheer coaches called me to try out, but I want to take a year off to get used to college.”
Yellowjackets’ cheerleading Head Coach Michelle Maru was impressed with how Alexa led such a large group of girls on the squad this year. Maru says the positive way in which Alexa attacked every task served as a great influence to her teammates. The senior wound up earning All-SCC honors for East Haven.
“Alexa was the perfect example as a leader. She always had a positive attitude, regardless of the situation. She was able to lead the girls by example. She showed them not only how to be a great athlete, but how to be a good person,” says Maru. “Alexa has also exceeded her potential this year with her skills as a cheerleader. She was named All-SCC at our SCC competition, which only 20 cheerleaders all together received. Alexa has been a great asset to our team and we will miss her next year.”
One of the reasons why Alexa excelled as a captain is because she’s used to leading a team as a coach in the East Haven Youth Cheerleading program—something she’s done for the past four years. Whether she’s coaching or competing, Alexa loves being a part of the Yellowjackets’ cheerleading family.
“It definitely requires a lot of skill. Tumbling and stunting are probably the two biggest parts of cheerleading. It’s not just the sidelines cheerleading at football games. It’s all about strength and endurance. You have to have a strong mind in order to be a cheerleader. To lift people off the ground, master technique, throw yourself backwards, it definitely takes its toll on you, so you have to be strong for it,” Alexa says. “I give everyone credit. It’s amazing to pass this skill on to a younger generation. To see how eager they are to learn, I’m excited for them. I love it and feel like being able to do it and teach others, see them pick it up—it’s such an amazing feeling. I can’t even explain it in words. It’s so much fun and an experience I’ll never forget.”