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02/09/2023 08:30 AMCheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of balance and stamina, both mentally and physically. Beyond all of the stunts, tumbles, and routines, there is a sense of family and support that is a recipe for success in such an intense competition.
For North Haven senior cheerleading captain Jenna Roby, grasping this concept was something she learned at a young age, as she has found a lot of success with the Nighthawks throughout her high school tenure.
Jenna has been competitively cheerleading for 13 years, and it has always been a big passion for her. Jenna believes in the power of unity, which is what helped spark her interest in the sport.
“What inspired me to start cheerleading was the fun, sassiness, and having a sisterhood bond with my teammates,” says Jenna. “I was used to cheerleading, and I did not want to stop because it is a part of my life. Getting to know different people from different schools is a good thing for me to know that I can cheer along with them and grow with them throughout all four years.”
Jenna is the only captain for the Nighthawks this season, and Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi believes she has really embraced the role through her ability to lead by example and set the tone for her teammates.
“She is like having another coach in the room. She is very mature for her age, and she looks at things very differently than your average high school girl would look at things,” says Coach Crisafi. “She handles the team by herself very well, she leads by example, and holds her teammates accountable for their skills.”
One of Jenna’s main goals as a captain is to make sure the team is always on the same page and that everyone feels important. She believes it is crucial to have a sense of cohesion across the board.
“Being the only captain, my goal is making sure that my team is a part of me. I want my teammates to be leaders as well,” says Jenna. “I give them options for competitions and practice to make sure that they are a part of what I feel and that no one feels left out.”
With any sport comes challenges, but for Jenna, those challenges are even more highlighted by the fact that she doesn’t have any other captains by her side to help lead this group of ambitious cheerleaders, so she has to work extra hard to keep her team motivated.
“The most challenging thing for me this season would be for us to do our part each time we step on the mat,” says Jenna. “In order for us to do well, we have to encourage our team to want it more and to want to win.”
Crisafi believes that the way Jenna is able to keep her team rallied behind her is a standout quality of Jenna’s, but she always reminds her captain that perfection doesn’t always equate to success.
“I think it is difficult sometimes when our best is not perfect, and that is okay,” says Coach Crisafi. “Part of her maturing is realizing that neither her nor her team has to be perfect. She pushes them just like she is a coach.”
As Jenna looks ahead to the remainder of competition play for the Nighthawks this season, she hopes the team continues to keep their feet on the gas while maintaining a tight team bond off of the mat.
“I look forward to getting through the season with my teammates that I have been with since freshman year and this year,” Jenna says. “With my teammates now, the focus is just bonding with them more, and going to competitions and winning and getting a ring; feeling the joy when we go to competitions, and spending my last season every time we step on the mat, giving it our all. We are also focused on making each practice count and working hard every day to get where we need to be.”