Ella Meis, freshman, waited in anticipation as the third place overall team was announced at the Class Six Game Day Cheerleading State Competition. Once the second place team was announced, Meis knew she had become a state champion.
“I’m so proud of us, especially since it has been a while,” Meis said.
The last time varsity cheer won this competition was in 2019. Meis said seniors Naomi Feng and Sydney Vaccaro, team captains, helped everyone to come together as a team this year to perform their best.
“We all really wanted it,” Meis said. “We did it for each other.”
Vaccaro said she was ecstatic when she realized they had received the highest overall score.
“It felt really good since it was my last competition ever,” Vaccaro said.
There are three separate scoring components: band chant, timeout cheer and fight song. The team placed third in band chant and first in both timeout cheer and fight song.
“Once they announced we got first place in two, I knew that we had won,” Vaccaro said.
Giada Maciariello, freshman, said upperclassmen and captains kept the team calm during high-stress situations, which was essential to their success.
“They were always motivating and encouraging to everyone on the team,” Maciariello said.
Maciariello said the tight-knit bond with her teammates and the effort the team put in allowed them to win the title.
“Everyone loves and supports each other unconditionally,” Maciariello said. “I’m truly thankful I was given the opportunity to be a part of the team and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Varsity assistant coach Elizabeth Basta, who has been a cheer coach at MHS for nine years, said this group is especially unique due to their ability to work together.
“This team was able to overcome adversity and come together as a team,” Basta said. “They are a younger team this year that has a lot of potential for growth.
In order to qualify to compete at the state championship, teams must compete at the regional championships and place in the top five, Basta said.
Aside from performing at football and basketball games, another way Basta prepares her team is by inviting cheer alumni to critique the routines.
Basta said the state championship was one of the most monumental moments of the season.
“When the girls hit their routine I had goosebumps from head to toe,” Basta said. “The tears of excitement for what they just achieved was a moment I will never forget.”
