With the 2019 Madison Youth Football and Cheer (MYFC) season in full swing, the Madison youth competition cheerleading team continues to work hard in preparation for its upcoming meets, while cheering on the town’s grade-based football squads on Sundays.

The MYFC competition team consists of 15 cheerleaders: Cristina Case, Lucy Cummings, Sophie Elder, Ashley Fiorella, Gianna Foligno, Juliana Jorens, Abby Kustra, Allison Mulhern, Neala O’Dea, Alessandra Picard, Julianna Picard, Mia Scott, Lilyana Signore, Hailey Yahara, and Katelyn Zagam. The team is coached by Michelle O’Dea and Lindsay Smith.

In July, the MYFC competition team attended the Universal Cheer Association (UCA) Cheer Camp that took place at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. The team put together several successful showings alongside the Daniel Hand High School varsity cheerleading squad at the camp.

The MYFC competition team won multiple awards and ribbons throughout the four-day camp. The team proudly returned to Madison with a Game Day Champion trophy and a Camp Champion trophy, in addition to Superior Award trophy.

Three members of the team—Alessandra Picard, Julianna Picard, and Mia Scott—were presented with the Pin It Forward Award, which recognizes cheerleaders for their leadership skills, genuine spirit, commitment, kindness, and motivation both on and off the field.

Scott was also nominated and selected as a UCA All-American cheerleader following a tryout at the camp. Scott was invited to join other UCA All-American cheerleaders to march in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.

The MYFC competition team will participate in the Shoreline Youth Football and Cheer Conference Local Competition on Saturday, Oct. 19. The team’s goal is to advance through locals to compete at the state and regional levels in both Connecticut and Massachusetts in November. The team is ultimately hoping to earn a bid to compete at nationals in Florida this December.

Information courtesy of Michelle O’Dea