The North Haven Nighthawks competitive cheerleading team came into this season with championship aspirations. With a team that makes up 20 girls, the team has paved their way to what many people would consider a successful campaign so far.

On Feb. 4, the Nighthawks competed at the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) Championships. The girls placed second overall as a team, totaling 79.95 points, in a conference that is made up of 13 all-girl teams and one co-ed team.

Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi was proud of the way her team performed under the pressure that often comes with a meet of conference championship caliber and felt that they hit on the crucial aspects of their routine.

“It went well; our kids did exactly what we asked them to. They are a great performance team,” said Crisafi. “We had hard skills in the routine, and they got their points where they needed to. We were thrilled with a second-place finish.”

On a team comprised of seven cheerleaders that compete on the mat, Jenna Roby served as the one senior captain this season. Roby was named to the All-SCC team and was also able to effectively lead her team and help steer the ship to the path of victory in intense competition.

“She has control of her team; not only did she score well, but one of the judges left a note on the side of the score sheet that said, ‘I love the way that you encourage your team’, that just speaks volumes to who Jenna is,” said Crisafi. “She does her job and is there through a two-and-a-half-minute routine to cheer for her teammates when they need it. Having that ability to know what your team needs from you without being told is the piece that Jenna comes through with.”

Being named an All-SCC athlete is no easy or ordinary feat, but it was one Roby has strived for all season long. Crisafi knows the challenges that can be presented while trying to earn that distinction, but Roby took it well and was able to reach her goal.

“We were very excited for her, and she was very excited for herself. I was thrilled because it is always nice to see people who deserve something receive it,” said Coach Crisafi. “Our team has historically struggled at the SCC Tournament. In 2019 we won it and after that, we have not placed until now. That was the goal of this team because they knew that our team has historically struggled at SCC’s. Just the fact that they heard their name, and their hard work was acknowledged, they were just thrilled.”

To add to what was already a decorative day for the Nighthawks, Crisafi also earned the SCC Coach of the Year award, one that she was very honored to receive.

“I was thrilled and grateful. I have been here doing this for so long, I truly believe that this is about the kids,” said Crisafi. “Our team doing well, and for Jenna being named to the All-SCC, for me, that is front yard stuff.”

Although the Nighthawks showcased their skills and talent at the SCC Tournament, the team has faced several challenges throughout the season along the way. However, they found a way to stay positive and overcome those challenges.

“We had a transfer student that came to us that is a great kid and fit right in with the kids. About a month ago, she suffered a season-ending injury,” said Crisafi. “This team regrouped, and everybody got a new job, [and] did their job well. You would never know that they had the struggles that they had, and having to learn new skills in just a short amount of time.”

Crisafi and the rest of her coaching staff consistently hold the Nighthawks to a high standard. Because of the internal pressure the girls face from their coaches, they felt prepared going into SCCs, and they stepped up to the plate and performed their best.

“The thing that I was most proud of them for at SCCs was how excited they were to get a second-place finish,” said Crisafi. “These kids were thrilled to have gotten second place and were so happy, so that was what I was most proud of. The team that did win was Daniel Hand, and our team was just as excited for them winning. That was a great thing to watch because that talks about their character; they are great kids.”

The Nighthawks have two remaining competitions left, the New England Cheer Association (NECA) competition on Feb. 25 and the state tournament, which be held on March 4 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.

As they look ahead to the final stretch of the slate, Crisafi hopes her team continues to show improvement every day and that they’re always giving their best effort no matter the situation.

“We have given them a lot of new skills and keep raising the bar every week on what has to be changed. We go over score sheets, and we change them hoping to gain points in different areas,” said Crisafi. “We just want them to go out and do the best they can, hit their routine. At the end of the day, if somebody beats you after you did the best you could, that is okay. I want them to be able to come off the mat at the state tournament feeling that they could have not done any more than what they did.”

If the Nighthawks place first, second, or third at the state tournament, they will have the opportunity to go to All-New England’s, which will be in Massachusetts.

“That is our goal, to hopefully place one, two, or three so we can go once again,” said Crisafi. “That is our realistic goal so we can once again go to All-New England’s. It has been about seven years for our program, for North Haven, since we have been to All-New England’s.”

Crisafi has been the cheer coach for over 40 years and is assisted on the sidelines by her daughter Kayla Crisafi, Jordyn Sheeley, Jordan Brangi, and Jason Burroughs (tumbling instructor).

The Nighthawks roster is comprised of Roby, Jazmin Teclechiel, Lexy Coppola (junior), Ava Guarniere (junior), Francesca Keefe, Emily Baichulall, Abby Crowder (sophomore).