Patriots earn top honors in Anaheim
Napa Valley Register
Article Launched: 03/05/2009 - LINK to Original Article |
The American Canyon Patriots Pee Wee cheerleaders pose at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim. Submitted photo | Buy photos |
| The American Canyon Patriots sent 12 of their cheerleaders, the Midget and Pee Wee teams, to compete in the USA Junior Nationals cheerleading competition, held in Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim Feb. 28-March 1. This trip was the highlight in a very successful season for the Patriots, and marks their first cheer competition at a National level.
Competing with a brand new routine for this competition were the Pee Wee team (age 8-10 years old), with a small squad of seven girls who were mostly new cheerleaders. They won second place in the song-pom division, bringing home a large trophy and individual medals for each of the girls. Head coach Nikolle Murphy said, "We made the decision to teach a new routine, with more difficulty and faster moves. We knew we had to step it up to be competitive at the national level. Our girls worked hard, and it really paid off for them. The Pee Wee team has had a successful cheer season, bringing home a win at every competition they entered."
The Pee Wee cheerleaders are Keila Bobro, Kailah Cabiles, Leslie Cervantes, Mikylah Curtis, Skyelar Murphy, Angelique Phillips, and Nohely Reyes. The Midget team also performed very well in the song-pom division, with a dance routine taught by assistant coaches Nicki Brown and Sherrell Wilkerson.
"This has been a great year for our Midget team," said Patriots Cheer Director Taresa Murphy. "They took home three trophies this year, placing in each competition they entered. Both of our teams performed their best, and had a great time in Disneyland with their friends and families. We are really proud of them." The Midget cheerleaders are Cittlaly Alfonseca, Hannah Duprez, Analiza Ortega, Cassidy Pallo and Kiani Seward.
Information on the American Canyon Patriots football and cheer programs can be found at www.acpatriots.com. |
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AmCan cheer squad prepares for national competition in March
By SARAH ROHRS/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 11/13/2008 01:03:36 AM PST - LINK to Original Article |
AMERICAN CANYON -- Clap your hands. Stomp your feet. The Patriots cheerleaders can't be beat!
Twenty-three girls may soon be making such a cheer as they go up against some of the best cheerleading squads in the country.
The American Canyon Patriots Youth Football and Cheer season is over, but the girls have just begun preparing for the USA Regional Cheer Competition on March 1, at Disney's California Adventure.
After fierce competitions this fall, three out of four Patriots cheerleading teams qualified for the national competition, said Patriots cheer director and coach Taresa Murphy.
The Patriot girls, aged 8 to 13, come from American Canyon, Vallejo and Napa. Four squads -- Junior Pee Wees, Pee Wees, Junior Midgets and Midgets -- cheer at all Patriot football teams and also take part in competitions.
The girls are judged on jumps, cheering, movements, poise, personality, smiles and how well they move together, Murphy said.
"The exciting thing about our teams is that the Patriots are young, and we're against teams that have been cheering together for years," she said. |
Nuhely Reyes, 9, his held up by her teammates as they practice a stunt Tuesday night. The American Canyon Patriots Youth Cheer squads will be compete in a national competition in March. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald) |
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From left, Alyssa Salinas, Emily Hosford, Kaelah Johnson, Marisa Gonzolz practice a new cheer Tuesday night. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
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During the last competition at UC Davis, 18 teams in the Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference competed and the Patriot girls took home prizes in dance and cheer. Murphy said the Patriot football players changed roles and cheered the girls on from the stands.
Nicki Brown, who coaches the Patriot's Midget squad of 13-year-olds, said the girls will be doing a two-minute cheer at the national competition, and a dance, which she will choreograph.
While this season's girls came in without much experience, Brown said the coaches gave them the discipline and structure to thrive.
To prepare for the March 1 two-day competition, the girls will practice at least twice weekly. The organization needs to raise about $9,000 to attend and is looking for sponsors and other ways to raise money.
After coaching for nearly 15 years, Murphy said she's witnessed the many benefits of cheerleading -- having fun, making friends, gaining new skills and building confidence. "I see a total change in girls in their level of confidence. You see the benefits in school, in public speaking and socially." |
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E-mail Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6832. |
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