Newsday's All-Long Island cheerleading team 2025

Newsday Cheerleader of the Year: Jasmin Lawrence, Farmingdale, Jr., Back spot

Lawrence has become a cornerstone of Farmingdale's success since transferring from Freeport after her eighth-grade season, when she won a county title. The junior back spot and Newsday’s Cheerleader of the Year quickly established herself as not only an elite athlete but also a natural leader, known for her incredible skills, energy and unwavering presence.

“On the mat, she was the best all-around performer, excelling in motions, jumps and maintaining the powerful energy needed to elevate the team’s performances,” coach Caitlin Beatrice said.

Her dedication helped Farmingdale's stunt groups achieve the most challenging and impressive routines in the county.

“All of my stunt groups perform the most difficult stunts and she is the reason why,” Beatrice said. “She’s always holding teammates accountable and picking them up.”

In early January, during a county competition, Lawrence was landing her full when she fully ruptured her Achilles tendon. Despite the gravity of her injury, she remained an influential leader on the team while recovering. Joining her coaches at the front of the mat to cheer her team on for the remainder of the season, Lawrence helped motivate Farmingdale to its third consecutive county title in February and Class A runner-up finish at the state championship.

“She had to take on the grieving process and she was able to do that and step up as a leader right before nationals. We didn’t have to modify any skills because she was able to help them and guide them," Beatrice said. “We would not have been able to accomplish that without her being the kind of person and athlete she is.”

Suffolk Cheerleader of the Year: Gabriella Fleischer, Sachem North, Sr., Side base

The back spot turned side base competed college level skills such as front handspring ups for a dominant Sachem North squad. She has become one of the most elite members of the team, performing a running full, cartwheel full and standing tuck in this year’s routine.

“She’s always been very strong and I knew she could excel as a side base,” coach Danielle Gresalfi said. “She’s always wanted what’s best for the team and is a truly selfless leader.”

Fleischer will continue her career as a side at Western Kentucky University this fall. She also is a junior coach for the Sachem North youth program.

“She always leads by example and the younger girls look up to her,” Gresalfi said. “She helps out other teams before their routines and is a full embodiment of a cheerleader.”

Kacey Berger, Sachem East, Soph., Flyer

In her third season on the squad, Berger continued to excel as a flyer and tumbler. The two-time county and state champion is the only athlete to perform a toe touch full in Suffolk.

Mya Grayson, Freeport, Jr., Main base

The super elite main base and 2024 All-Long Island second=team member has played a major role in the program’s two consecutive coed county titles.

Hayley Kern, Seaford, Sr., Main base

The five-time county champion and two-time state champion is the program’s reliable main base for every super elite stunt and also throws super elite tumbling passes.

Ian Licavoli, Ward Melville, Jr., Coed base

The three-year coed base performs in every stunt for the Patriots and played a major role helping the program earn back-to-back county and state championships.

Abby McCarthy, Mepham, Sr., Side base

The four-year member is not only the program’s strongest side base but also adds elite tumbling skills on the floor as Mepham earned its first county title this season.

Brooke Napolitano, Mount Sinai, Sr., Main base

The five-year team member and three-time county and state champion performs the highest level of stunting and tumbling skills for Mount Sinai.

Callie Russell, Rocky Point, Sr., Flyer

Russell’s ability to throw tumbling passes that include a roundoff back handspring full through to a full, double back handspring fulls, cartwheel fulls and a standing full has made her a crucial part of Rocky Point’s success as a county and state champion this season.

Evangeline Sherman, West Babylon, Sr., Main base

The Western Kentucky commit is a two-time county champion and state runner-up, who threw a cartwheel and running full this season and adds super elite stunting skills.

Brianna Sidoti, Seaford, Jr., Flyer

Sidoti, also a five-time county and two-time state champion, can hit all super elite stunts as a flyer and added a specialty pass to her tumbling stunts this season.

Mia Stimac, Division, Jr., Main base

After recovering from an ACL injury last season, Stimac returned for the Dragons and showed off her super elite stunting and tumbling skills.

Nassau Coach of the Year: Caitlin Beatrice, Farmingdale

Beatrice led Farmingdale to its third consecutive county championship and back-to-back runner-up finishes at the state championship.

Suffolk Coach of the Year: Georgia Curtis, Ward Melville

Gass has led Ward Melville to back-to-back county and state championships in the coed division.

Second Team

Ava Antonacci, Plainedge, Jr., Base

Adriana Auleta, Oceanside, Soph., Flyer

Julia Avena, Wantagh, Sr., Side/Main base

Cameron Buckstein, Sachem East, Soph., Side base

Krista Cummo, Hauppauge, Soph., Side/Main base

Samantha Denis, Connetquot, Soph., Flyer

Ella Gibbons, East Islip, Sr., Flyer

Reese Gillen, Farmingdale, Jr., Main base

Lily Jonas, Connetquot, Sr., Side base

Demi Mah Lee, Clarke, Sr., Flyer

Kaitlyn Lieberman, Smithtown West, Jr., Side base

Emma Miller, Ward Melville, Sr., Flyer

Ava Pohalski, East Meadow, Sr., Main base

Ella Reisinger, Rocky Point, Sr., Flyer

Liliana Romano, Sachem North, Soph., Flyer

Kandice Ryan, Longwood, Sr., Flyer

Cami Sandkuhl, MacArthur, Sr., Side base

Alexis Sewer, Freeport, Jr., Side base

Olivia Snyder, West Babylon, Sr., Back spot

Milan Telfair, Smithtown East, Sr., Side base
 

By Carissa Kellman

carissa.kellman@newsday.com@CarissaKellman