Three cheers went out in the communities of the three New York State champions in game day cheer from the Lower Hudson Valley.
The game day cheer squads from Putnam Valley, Eastchester and Ursuline won state championships hosted by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy Nov. 9. Competition was divided by enrollment with Ursuline winning Class A, Eastchester winning Class B and Putnam Valley winning Class C.
Cheer has two different competition seasons in New York. Game day cheer is for activities and routines – as is evident in the name – that happen on a game day. The other season is competitive cheerleading, more based on routines, which takes place in the winter, with state championships held in March in Binghamton.
“We are extremely proud,” Ursuline coach Karissa Minichino said. “This is our second game day state championship and we’ve won three game day national championship titles, as well.”
Ursuline, whose assistant coach is John Braca, also won the New York State game day cheer championship in 2023.
The title is the second for Putnam Valley, which also won in 2023.
“The team went undefeated throughout both the regular season and postseason, demonstrating incredible dedication, teamwork, and spirit,” Putnam Valley assistant coach Nicole D’Addona said. “Congratulations to the entire team on this amazing accomplishment. Let’s go Valley!”
The Tigers are coached by Kelly Wilson and assisted by D’Addona and Joseph D’Addona.
Like the other two programs, Eastchester also won its second title, but went back to back.
Eastchester coach Stephanie Leone said the majority of athletes on her squad returned from last year’s state championship team. They had big goals this season.
“They worked really hard to meet them,” Leone said, also noting the support of the cheer community, as well as family and friends. “Everyone has been behind them during their journey. It’s not only the hard work of the athletes, but our support system made it more meaningful the second time over.”
Eastchester’s win was doubly special for Leone and the Eagles because their performances are done with former coach Samantha Kearns on their minds and in their hearts. Kearns died of breast cancer in May 2024 at age 52. The team has raised more than $15,000 for the American Cancer Society in Kearns’ name and wears a patch Leone’s husband Matt designed that says Simply The Best with Kearns’ initials in the center on the backs of their uniform.
“Sammy and I coached together for 20 years,” said Leone, who noted they also taught English together at Eastchester Middle School. “We worked hard to build something special. Her smile just radiated. She was one of the kindest and most gentle people you’d ever meet.”
Leone said the team uses the Tina Turner hit “Simply The Best” in its band chant routine in tribute to Kearns.
Eastchester’s assistant coaches are Nicole Sallustio, Christine Roth, Danielle Pennachia and Amanda Bernardi.
Rosters of all three championship teams are available on NYSPHSAA’s web site.
Phil Strum is local sports editor for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Eastchester, Putnam Valley, Ursuline game day cheer teams best in New York State
Reporting by Phil Strum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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