Varsity Cheerleading Team - 2020

Cheerleading is known to be rooted as far back as the 1860’s with organized cheers at Ivy League Football Games. There once was a time when we would speak to people about cheerleading; there was a stigma attached as a happy-go-lucky, bouncy and bubby, high school person, usually a girl one would say, who leads organized cheers at a football or basketball game. Fast Forward to today and the sport of cheerleading has evolved into a type of sport that combines dance, gymnastics, jumping and great strength. In 2014, NYSPHSAA voted to make competitive cheerleading a sport in the NYS public High Schools. It has become one of the most physically demanding sports that require a great deal of strength, flexibility, coordination and mental acuity.

In 2020, the Varsity Cheerleaders of Maryvale High School proved time and time again that through their grit, hard work and perseverance, they could overcome so many obstacles and stigmas that have made a significant impact on the sport. When this team was first assembled with their summer workout program and continuing through the ensuing tryouts, you could just sense there was something magical about this squad. The talent on this team was elite and the upcoming season would prove to be incredible. 

The 2020 competition season began in January with a 1st Place finish at the Quaker Cheer Challenge at Orchard Park High School. With an impressive score of 83.8, this team was named the Grand Champions of the entire competition.

Just a few weeks later, the 2020 Maryvale Cheerleading team entered the Starpoint Snowflake Show Down at Starpoint High School. With another elite performance and an overall score of 84.65, Maryvale once again finished in 1st Place and were named Grand Champions. 

With February approaching, we knew competitions would get harder and harder and this was the time they needed to really step up for ECIC’s and for the Sectional Championship. In order to move on to the NYSPHSAA Cheer Championship, this team would need to win the Sectional round in order to proceed. The drive this team had was remarkable.

On February 1, 2020, Maryvale High School hosted the ECIC Championship. Knowing their hometown fans would be attending, this team wanted to make their hometown and school very proud of them. With an incredible score of 88.15, this team did not disappoint as they once again finished in 1st Place and were named Grand Champions of ECIC’s. Additionally, Kai’la Pace and Kylie Peters were named to the ECIC All-Star Team.

With their focus now turned to preparing for the Sectional Championship, the Maryvale Cheerleading Team continued their run of excellence with another 1st Place and Grand Champion finish at the Iroquois Cheer Challenge at Iroquois High School with a score of 85.43.

On February 9, 2020, it was time for the Sectional Championship. Up to this point in the season, this team had not only won their Division, but every competition they had entered. If they did not continue the standard of excellence they had performed at all season, their magical season would be over. To say they did not disappoint would be understatement. This team that had become so dominant and so successful throughout the season delivered a Section 6 record score of 91.8 and captured the 2020 Sectional Championship and punched their ticket to the NYSPHSAA Cheerleading Championship. This performance only reinforced the team’s mindset of the commitment in practicing and playing for each other. They had become a family and were determined that together they could do something that had never been done in school history by winning the State Cheerleading Championship.

On March 7, 2020, the Maryvale Varsity Cheerleading Team achieved their destiny and won the NYSPHSAA State Championship. With an incredible number of fans and supporters in attendance for this competition, there was an enormous eruption and euphoric feeling when it was announced that the 2020 Maryvale Varsity Cheerleading Team had become the NYS D2 Small School Division State Champions. The unthinkable had become reality. In addition to the team victory, Raegan Wilard was chosen as NYSPHSAA and Section 6 Sportsmanship winner. 

This remarkable group of young athletes who pushed passed their boundaries and committed to one another had achieved the highest level of greatness. 

Led by their Coach Joanne Strychalski, here are the members of the exceptional NYS Championship Team:

· Riley Passariella

· Jerzi-Lynn Jurkiw

· Hannah Hartman

· Shaughnessey (Lovie) Butler

· Ashlee Gray

· Avery Amato

· Isabella Flick

· Jenna Raczka

· Taylor Spaich

· Kai’la Pace

· Kylie Peters

· Paige Wilkowski

· Raegan Willard

· Reanna Sawning

· Shya Lowery

· Erin Feeney

· Lizzy Huey

· Mara Quale