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01/26/2023 08:12 AMWhen it comes to the sport of cheerleading, Adriana Esposito relishes in the mental movements within the competition. And she has become a swell tactician, learning several techniques and routines to be a well-accomplished athlete.
The East Haven cheerleading team senior captain first started dancing at the tender age of 2, but then during middle school, she was intrigued by the mat and joined her cheerleading team at that level.
After being part of a Yellowjackets’ squad that earned a lofty runner-up showing at the SCC Championship last winter, she has returned and left an indelible mark as a team leader as East Haven aims for the SCC’s top prize this postseason.
“With cheerleading, there is stunting and tumbling with some strategic coordination on the mat, which I like,” says Adriana. “This team is like a second family to me. Each girl and coach has made an impact on me and has helped make me a better person. Since starting cheerleading, I’ve always wanted to push myself with focusing on stunts and dance sequences. I am going for the All-SCC and All-State teams this year and would love to make it.”
The road to prominence has not been a smoothly paved one for Adriana. She details she has had to battle through a tough back injury suffered in practice last season. Yet determined as ever, she made her way back to the mat for her squad.
“My junior year, I was in practice running through my stunts and tweaked my back and could not tumble,” Adriana says. “I had to be out for seven months, and I had to see a chiropractor, take X-rays, and do physical therapy. After the injury, I kept pushing myself to get back to competition.”
East Haven cheerleading team Head Coach Tianna Speringo knows that Adriana embodies every trait one could want in a team captain, with her brimming positivity and dedication to her craft and team on a daily basis.
“Adriana has been cheering for six years. She always comes into practice with a positive attitude and mindset, and she is always ready to give it her all and push herself,” says Speringo. “Adriana plays a huge role on our team. She is a base and a tumbler. She is always willing to help out everyone and motivate the team. Adriana is a dedicated athlete to her team and coaches both on and off the mat. When naming captains for this season, Adriana was another athlete that really stuck out to me because of her determination and dedication to her team and the East Haven High School community.”
Furthermore, on the Yellowjackets’ campus, Adriana balances more obligations, as she is part of the Future Business Leaders of America club (FBLA), where she serves as vice president and takes all advanced placement courses.
“Balancing it all takes a lot of work, but I am thinking about the future,” Adriana says. “I want to be an engineer, and I have to take those classes to get there. I am studying every night, and my family’s support has really pushed me.”
Adriana details that the title of captain is a well-coveted one, though she knows and sees what earning the distinction truly means. As captain, Adriana adores the chance to be a guiding voice and example for the youth of the program.
“Being captain is a big responsibility; everyone wants the title, but to me, it shows me how much work I have put in,” says Adriana. “I love helping the other girls through things they may be scared to do. It motivates me to continue.”
The high placement at the conference championship meet last winter has been a big driving force behind not only the Yellowjackets’ efforts this campaign but also their camaraderie out of competition.
“Last year, we had some of the school’s highest scores,” says Adriana. “Since last year and our place at SCCs, we have been so cohesive, and we want to stay motivated this year. Everyone is trying to work hard to keep up the momentum.”
As she starts to reflect on the next chapters of her life with engineering, Adriana is not yet ready to close the blue and yellow book with the Yellowjackets. She wants to finish her tenure with this team on top, alongside so many close colleagues and cohorts.
“I want to go to the University of Rhode Island next year and look to join the cheer team. But this season, we have the motivation to do our best as a team,” Adriana says. “All of the girls here have been amazing friends. They have stuck by me and helped me. I have also learned that being friends with people for a long time can shape you into the person you become.”