Passaic Today

Montclair State University's Coed Cheer and Dance teams have emerged victorious at the National Cheerleaders Association & National Dance Association College Nationals held in Daytona Beach. The teams showcased their talent and dedication, securing top positions in their respective divisions.

According to Montclair’s Coordinator of Intramural and Club Sports, Kyle Bianchi, "These two programs are becoming Division III powerhouses." The teams' success reflects their hard work and commitment to excellence.

Junior cheerleader Shayla Carthon expressed her excitement, stating, “It’s an overwhelming feeling knowing how hard it was for us to make it to Daytona, and we just won back-to-back, it feels like a fever dream.” Similarly, first-year cheerleader Paul Bonilla shared his disbelief, saying, “It doesn’t feel real.”

For senior Dance Team members Inez Rodriguez and Jenna Lipari Pazienza, the victory was a culmination of years of dedication. Lipari Pazienza shared, "Going to Daytona and hitting that stage with all the lights for the first time – and last time – was honestly an experience that I’ll never forget. I wish I could relive it every day." Rodriguez emphasized the importance of support, noting, “I had a lot of support there, and it just made it 10 times better knowing that, not only me but, a lot of the other girls have so much support.”

The teams' success was not without challenges, as Carthon recounted the physical and mental demands of cheerleading, including a new move called "the shotgun." Despite the difficulties, Carthon highlighted the team's trust and unity, stating, “The physical and mental performance is where I really show.”

The celebration extended beyond the competition, as Lipari Pazienza shared, “We celebrated by running in the ocean with the cheer team with our costumes on, which we’ve been looking forward to since our freshman years.” The cold plunge into the ocean has become a tradition for winning teams at the Nationals.

Montclair's victory at the championships solidified their reputation as a formidable force in Division III cheer and dance. With the support of their teammates and the thrill of victory, the teams returned to Montclair with well-deserved national titles and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.