Junior Hurricane Cheerleaders Vie for National Title in Florida
By Joe LaRosa | Correspondent at December 10, 2023 | 8:00 am | Print
For 34 young cheerleaders from New Britain, the holidays came early this year.
The New Britain Junior Hurricanes eight- and 10-and under cheerleading teams left early Wednesday morning to compete in the American Youth Football and Cheer National Championships in Kissimmee, FL. Rounding out the 54-person New Britain delegation are parent chaperones, coaches and league and conference officials.
“It’s very exciting for the girls,” said Jahaira Jimenez who is in her second year coaching the teams.
The two teams began practicing in August training an average of three times per week. Next came cheering at Junior Hurricane football games on Sunday afternoons at Chesley Park.
Their own competitions began on Oct. 20, in Waterbury, where both teams placed first in the local round. On Nov. 10, they won the state championships held in Shelton. Then, it was on to Providence, RI, where they won the regional titles on Nov. 24 earning the right to go to nationals.
“The girls have worked very hard,” said Jimenez. “This is only our league’s second year. Last year we made it to regionals. We don’t know when we’ll get this kind of opportunity again so we want to make the most of it,” she added.
Cheering is nothing new to Jiminez. She cheered at in the New Britain PAL program, for Slade and Roosevelt Middles Schools and NBHS where she graduated in 2004 as well as for the Connecticut Crush women’s football team. In addition to coaching the New Britain teams, this year she also works as the cheer coordinator attending various meetings and sending our communications to other coaches.
“When I was approached to be the cheer coordinator I said yes, but only if I could continue to coach. My commitment to the girls had to come first,” Jimenez explained. When the two roles present scheduling conflicts, she relies on her assistant coach Brenda Matta. “It’s all worked out nicely,” Jiminez added
“Some of the girls have taken dance lessons or done gymnastics, but for most this is their first sport,” said Jiminez.
Nick Mastracchio’s daughter Nicole is one of the newcomers to cheerleading. “This is her first year. She did gymnastics before, but she had not cheered before. She picked it right up,” he added.
Intense and fun might be two words to describe the activity. “We explained what was expected when the girls signed up, but there are definitely some adjustments they have had to make.
“Practices are mandatory and there are rules hey have to follow. And, they have to keep their grades up in order to continue cheering and to travel,” said Jiminez.
Still, it wasn’t until the teams reached the competitions that many of them and their parents came to understand. “The competitions are fun, but they are also definitely intense,” said Jiminez. “The first one was a bit of a wake-up call for the girls and many of the parents, especially those who had never been to a competition before,” she said.
On the trip the girls will have three-hour periods blocked out each day for homework which is being coordinated through schools. In Florida the girls will visit Universal Studios with competitors from around the country. They’ll also take part in a Spirit Party with member of other teams. The actual competitions are on Saturday Dec. 8, and then there is the matter of that bus ride on Sunday.
“I’ve had a few people asked me if I’m really going to be on bus with 34 girls all the way to Florida and back? I tell them ‘yes I am!’”
After all, a holiday season trip to Florida and a shot at a national championship don’t come every year.
The 8 and under team includes:Isabella Forrester, Janelis Gomila, Kiani Harrell, Samarra Hayes, Trisha-Marie Hetmeyer, Alexis Hurst, Sumeja Jauzovic, Precious Kremski, Kaylie Lee, Nicole Mastracchio, Jaydin Parker, Xandra Silva,Liana Silva, Briana Soler, Kaylah Theriault, Jaryliz Vega and Abigail Wooten.
The 10 and under team includes: Aaliyah Bird, Mahogany Blair, Summer Bourgoin, Aleylla Carrero, Tatiana Gomez, Taina Gonzalez, Aviana Johnson, Sashelly Martinez, Ashley Minier, Kaylie Neal, Elyssa Ortiz, Kayla Pope, Veronica Rivera, Justina Rodriguez, Aisha Sanchez, Imani Smith and Rozalynn Smith.
Although the league is underwriting nearly $350 of the $750 per team member cost, several fundraisers have been held. Donations are still being accepted and can be sent to New Britain Youth Football & Cheer, Inc., P.O. Box 576, New Britain, CT 06050-0576.
