Sachem East cheerleading's state title wins becoming routine

Before they even stepped foot on the mat, the Sachem East cheerleading team had a gut feeling. A feeling that they would hit a clean routine.

Their feelings proved to be true.

Sachem East finished first in the state in Class A with a 91.2 — the highest score at the state championships — to earn back-to-back titles.

“We just knew we were going to hit before we got on that mat,” senior Gianna Stalzer said. “We were so confident in ourselves and our routine.”

“The girls count down before they start their routine,” co-coach Victoria Aghabekian said. “Last year, as they were counting down, I could just tell they were going to hit a perfect routine. I had that same exact feeling when they counted down this year.”

Their confidence came from repetition. Co-coach Brianna Aghabekian-Pistolese said they stress repetition so the squad can get as comfortable with the routine as possible.

“Practices are crucial,” Aghabekian-Pistolese said. “It’s the reps. We do multiple full-outs in practice with the goal that once they’re under spotlights on the floor, it will be muscle memory.”

Returning to the state championships as the reigning champion came with pressure.

“It was definitely nerve-wracking because now you’re coming back to states, having won a title, and everyone knows your name,” Aghabekian-Pistolese said.

But after winning their first state title last year, they were ready to do it again. And even better.

“Our goal was to come back with an even better and harder routine,” Aghabekian said. “This was the hardest routine Sachem East has ever done, so for them to have even been able to perform these skills almost effortlessly, they were so proud of it.”

“It felt like, we’ve done this before, now let’s find a way to do it better,” senior Shayla King said. “We put in so much time and practice to be able to accomplish that.”

Aghabekian said that winning back-to-back titles has put Sachem East cheerleading on the map.

“Winning once was amazing, but coming back and doing it again gives us the confidence that this program knows what it’s doing,” Aghabekian said. “We’ve been getting emails from people saying how excited they are to be a part of our program and join us in the years to come.”

Senior Emma Accetta is excited to watch the legacy they’ve created continue.

“I’m hoping that putting the Sachem East name out there the last two years will really help drive the underclassmen to achieve more,” Accetta said. “Just keep building on skills and keep the technique up and becoming the powerhouse that it can be.”

For the 11 seniors graduating, it’s been the bonds they’ve made with their teammates that they’ll miss the most.

“The relationships I’ve built on this team are like no other,” senior Grace Gadman said. “They’ve become some of my best friends. They always pick me up when I’m down, and they motivate me to be my best. That’s definitely what’s special about this team and what I’m going to miss the most.”