Ward Melville cheerleading had a 'flair' for the dramatic
Ward Melville wins the state coed cheerleading title at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, N.Y., on March 8. Credit: /Marilu Lopez Fretts
The Ward Melville cheerleading squad has shown no signs of stopping.
The Patriots once again proved their place at the top of the pyramid, securing their second consecutive state competitive cheerleading championship in Binghamton.
“We knew we had a target on our backs, but we put in the long hours in practice and picked each other up along the way,” junior coed stunter and base Ian Licavoli said. “We put the work in, and it paid off.”
Their victory, with a final score of 84.75, solidified their dominance in the coed division with the program’s third state cheerleading title in a row after winning the state Game Day crown in November.
“I told them, you built this house, you built this family, now go protect it,” coach Georgia Curtis said. “That's exactly what they did.”
The Patriots won five of the nine county competitions throughout the season before clinching their second county title in February.
“It was a little nerve-wracking at the beginning of the season, but we knew we could prepare for this moment because we had done it before,” senior Emma Clontz said.
The squad spent the weeks before the state championship working on a new aspect in the routine saved only for the state championship. They added more "flair,” focusing on expressive faces, dramatic poses and an overall performance that captured the essence of the sport.
“Adding flair for us is our favorite part,” said senior flyer Emma Miller, who is committed to the University of Delaware. “We all love the performance aspect of cheerleading, so getting to have fun and perform in front of this amazing crowd was a great experience.”
Ward Melville also incorporated a variety of elite coed stunts, including a thrilling rewind in the final pyramid. For Licavoli, who performs in every stunt group in the routine, the addition of coed stunts over the past two seasons has been a game-changer.
“My flyer, Emma [Miller], and I are such a power duo,” Licavoli said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and my coaches. They push me to be the best I can be.”
Yet the squad attributes its success of not relying on individual talent, but their ability to showcase their excellence as a cohesive group.
“We listen to motivational speeches and do restorative circles during practice,” Miller said. “It helps us be vulnerable with each other and establish that trust that allows us to perform together to the best of our ability.”
The Patriots will graduate just three seniors this year. Clontz has complete confidence in the team’s ability to continue the legacy they’ve built.
“Seeing how far we were able to come this year," she said, "I have full trust that our team is going to do amazing things in the coming years.”
