UPDATE: Notre Dame Academy (NDA) has just clinched a stunning victory at the UCA Northeast Regionals held at Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton, N.J. The squad faced significant adversity but emerged victorious, securing a double bid to compete at Nationals in Walt Disney World.
In a dramatic turn of events, NDA was forced to perform its Medium Game-Day II routine twice after a cheerleader suffered a fall during the first performance. Despite the setback, NDA showcased remarkable resilience, returning to the mat less than an hour later to claim first place in the Small Varsity II category with a final score of 88 after deductions.
“We knew we had to block everything out and hit it harder,” said coach Andréa Vindigni. The team’s determination was evident as they regrouped and performed again, ultimately earning their spot at Nationals. The incident, which could have been disastrous, highlighted NDA’s grit and focus, as they not only competed but triumphed against the odds.
The competition’s emotional rollercoaster continued, with NDA also securing a fourth-place finish in the Game-Day division, further solidifying their path to Disney. The team scored an impressive raw score of 90 before deductions. “They fought for every second of that routine,” expressed coach Kim Fitzgerald, praising the athletes’ perseverance.
St. Joseph by-the-Sea and St. Joseph Hill Academy also celebrated their achievements, securing bids to Nationals. St. Joseph by-the-Sea finished in second place in the Large Varsity I category, earning a raw score of 76.8 and a final score of 72.05 after deductions. “This is only our second competition, and we’re thrilled with our performance,” stated head coach Kim Kukal.
St. Joseph Hill Academy clinched a sixth-place finish in Small Varsity II with a raw score of 78.1, finalizing at 75.1 points. Coach Kai Bingham emphasized the importance of crowd energy, stating, “The girls thrive off the excitement and it pushes them to give 110% every time.”
Meanwhile, Moore Catholic finished in eighth place in the Small Varsity II division, with hopes to secure their Nationals spot at the upcoming Keystone Regional competition on December 7, 2023.
As anticipation builds for the Nationals, NDA’s path serves as an inspiring reminder of resilience in the face of challenges. With their hard work paying off, the team prepares to represent Staten Island and their academy at one of the biggest cheerleading events in the country.
Stay tuned for updates as these remarkable athletes prepare for their next performance at Disney!
