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01/06/2016 11:00 PMTia Speringo started cheering when she was five years old and the sport has turned into an integral part of her life. Tia, a senior at East Haven, loves being out in front of the crowd at pep rallies or while rooting on the Yellowjackets’ football and basketball teams. What Tia enjoys the most, though, is when she and her cheerleading teammates get to perform in their own competitions against other clubs from around the state.
“Competition season is a big part of cheerleading for me. Without competition, there would be no cheerleading,” says Tia. “It’s a whole completely different section of cheerleading. We do cheer and the basic ‘2-4-6-8. Who do we appreciate?’ cheers, but we take competitions so seriously. Most cheer teams are good and we go out and hope for the best for us.”
Tia’s favorite meet is the New England Cheerleading Association (NECA) competition. East Haven has placed first at the event for the past two seasons after taking the runner-up spot when Tia was a freshman.
“It’s my favorite because I believe it’s the best competition. It’s the most fun and there’s a lot to do. They do little competitions, like who has best back handsprings, the best stunts and jumps, and you win prizes,” Tia says. “My favorite part is when all the teams are sitting on the mat and they call who wins. When they call you, it’s the best as we worked hard all year around for it.”
Tia was named one of East Haven’s captains prior to this season. She feels quite excited to lead her squad at the NECA meet and, hopefully, help the Yellowjackets defend their title.
“Being a captain is the best feeling in the world. When [Head Coach Michelle Maru] announced I was captain, I was so honored to know that she trusts me in leading our team throughout the season. Competition season is when a captain takes the most responsibility. You’re responsible for teaching the girls to perfect their emotion, jumps, tumbles, and motivation. You know that they’re ready and the connection between everybody is just amazing. I could be their best friend, but I know they need to respect me as captain,” says Tia. “I think that one of the things I want to pursue is defending our first place title at NECA. We work hard for it. Two years ago as a sophomore, that was our first time getting first. We’re motivated to defend. It means a lot to us. We deserve it.”
Maru appreciates how Tia shows so much passion for cheerleading, which makes coaching the senior captain an enjoyable experience.
“Tia is a huge part of our team. She shows such a love for the sport and, as a coach, that’s great to see,” Maru says. “She is a backspot on our team, but she also brings so much knowledge to all other positions. Tia has cheered for a long time, starting in the town’s youth program and also cheering at competitive All-Star gyms. Besides being a backspot, she is also a tumbler. Whether we are at a practice, games, or competitions, Tia is always excited to learn new things and always works her hardest. She leads the girls in a positive way, which is also why all the girls look up to her, not only as a captain, but as a friend. My assistant coach Krista Anania and I love having Tia on the team over the years and really enjoyed coaching her.”
Tia realizes how important of a role she holds during the Yellowjackets’ routines as one of their backspots. Tia believes that position lends itself well to her duties as a captain because it develops a sense of trust between she and her teammates.
“I’ve always been a backspot because I’m taller. I love being a backspot because I know my flier trusts me and I’m not going to let her fall,” says Tia. “I love being captain of my team and I enjoy the bond. If I didn’t join the high school cheer squad, I don’t know what I’d do. I love everybody and the connection between my coaches, captains, and teammates is best feeling ever.”