By Andrew Scharff
The Pride’s cheer and dance teams both won national championships at the Division I national competition earlier this year in Orlando, Fla.
The cheer team won the United Cheerleading Association (UCA) Division I small co-ed national championship, while the dance team placed first in the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Division I Hip-Hop category. This is the second time Pride cheerleading won a national championship (it also accomplished the feat in 2003), and the first time for the dance team. Diane Perillo, the assistant director of Student Activities and the coordinator of Spirit Support said she could see this day coming.
“In years past both teams have placed in the top 10,” Perillo said.
When the two teams performed during the sendoff event (where the teams perform their routines before heading to nationals) here at the University, Perillo felt that both routines could take the top spot. “Both routines were just perfect, I was speechless,” she said.
Even though Perillo thought the Blue & Gold would take the top spot, the head cheer coach Christine Nowierski wasn’t so sure. “Before leaving for the competition I really did not believe we would win,” Nowierski said.
Nowierski credited the victory to the positivity of the team, which is co-ed and filled with 16 very different personalities.
“Everybody stayed real focused while we were there knowing that if we worried only about ourselves and our routine, everything else would fall into place. And honestly that is what happened,” Nowierski said.
Led by seniors Rachel Smith and Niki Kurek, the Pride out dueled two-time defending champion University of Louisiana-Monroe.
“I’m happy for the whole team, the commitment and dedication they had was tremendous and extremely commendable,” Nowierski said.
Consequently, the dance team went into the competition more confident than cheer team. “We did have the confidence that we would place well with our routine. We always aim for first,” senior captain Karla Gaccione said.
Head dance coach Jill Deal agreed with her captain, saying, “I did believe that we had a really good chance to win.”
With the girls’ spirits high, they knew something special was happening. “The girls knew that they needed to practice hard and stay focused to execute our routines to the best of their abilities,” Deal said.
Much like the cheerleading team, Deal was relying on her seniors (Gaccione, Leslie Dini and Jessica Keaveny) to lead the way, and both coaches were happy that their seniors could leave on a winning note.
“Rachel and Niki have been with me since my first day. They have been so loyal to me and the program,” Nowierski said.
Deal shared similar sentiments.
“I am extremely happy they were able to experience winning a national title, the dance team has been a huge part of their college experience and it is something they will remember forever,” she said.
For now, both teams and coaches are enjoying the win, but realize it will be even more difficult to repeat next year.
“We all want to hold onto it so we know that we are going to have to prepare even more,” Deal said.