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02/12/2024 12:28 AMA year ago, the North Haven cheerleading squad finished in the silver medal spot of the Southern Connecticut Conference by the slimmest of margins. The determined Nighthawks were certain that this season, they would leave it all out on the floor and would not be denied the gold.
On Feb. 3, the North Haven cheerleading team served as host to the SCC Championship at North Haven High School. The Nighthawks sent their local fans home happy, as the club claimed the SCC All-Girls Division crown with a score of 85.5 points. They narrowly won out past runner-up Lyman Hall, which tallied a 79.6, and Branford in third with 77.85 points.
The conference crown comes on the heels of North Haven finishing second last season to Hand, by only four total points. Head Coach Kathleen Crisafi takes extra joy in the victory, because she knows how deep the talent pool in the league is, along with the fact that the girls truly deserve the title based on their daily merit.
“The SCC Championship means so much to the program,” said Crisafi. “The league is filled with so many talented teams, and to come out on top is such an honor. The team puts so much time and effort into their skill every day. They work hard and never complain. They make it easy for us as coaches to come to practice everyday.”
Notching All-SCC Team honors on the day for the Nighthawks were junior Gianna Carrano-Lanza, freshmen Jea Iamunno, and Reaghan Brandt. Senior captain Brooklyn Bonner was bestowed with the 2024 SCC Coaches Merit Award.
Senior captain Ava Guarniere explained that for this squad, each day was an internal competition within the halls of the gym. Yet that competitive mentality truly helped push the Nighthawks to the top, with a profound performance that would not be defined by a single score in their mind.
“Leading up to SCCs, everyone's main goal was not to win, but to be better than we were the day before. We had been working all week to try to prepare for the competition, and with each day we grew more confident in our skills, and more confident in each other,” said Guarniere. “Walking off the mat after we hit zero, we felt proud and excited that, even if we didn't win, we knew we had done better than the day before.”
Rounding out the scores for the field in the All-Girl Division were Cheshire in fourth (77.55 points), Lauralton Hall finished fifth with a total tally of 71.25, Mercy was sixth and its 66.7 points, Sacred Heart Academy placed seventh (64.65 points), eighth place went to East Haven at 63.95 tallies, Amity came in ninth (63.7), Foran was a 10th place finisher (58.2 points), and Sheehan was 11th (46.8 score).
“When the announcer announced that North Haven High School had won the All-Girl SCC Championship, we were ecstatic,” said Guarniere. “Our school had not won SCCs since 2019, and being able to bring home the win was something that I had never felt before. I was happy, excited, and overjoyed, but most of all, I was happy that I got to experience this with girls who are not only my teammates, but my family. I know for a fact that I am a part of a dedicated team, with dedicated coaches, and this was proof that our hard work in the gym pays off.”
When it comes to the performance that helped catapult North Haven to the top, Crisafi explained that the Nighthawks took flight with all gas and no breaks at all. Yet the girls were true to the task with excellent endurance and incredible accuracy, and made it seem flawless.
“This year's varsity routine is non-stop with zero down time,” said Crisafi. “It is as exciting as it is difficult. It is the most difficult routine the program has ever performed. The girls execute it so well and make it look easy.”
Crisafi sang nothing but the highest of praises when it came to expressing her sentiments about the girls' efforts behind the scenes. They not only provide a template of a successful and prominent program, but they are also marvelous role models in the community in their representation of the Nighthawks' culture.
“Beyond their athletic ability, this is a group of young ladies we as coaches are so proud to work with,” said Crisafi. “They are quality individuals, and represent North Haven with grace and dignity.”
The Nighthawks now have a few weeks to recoup and prepare for the state championships, which will be held on Saturday, March 2 at Shelton High School. North Haven hopes their routine will corral it on a further road trip to Worcester State University on Saturday, March 16–the site of the New England Championships.
The Nighthawks are looking to make it two-for-two when it comes to adding to their trophy case this postseason. It will be a daunting task for the team, but it is certainly not an unattainable one if the girls simply take it one step at a time by consistently putting their best foot forward.
“Heading into states, obviously the team has lofty goals. We are working towards a state championship, but the goal remains to put our best on the mat week after week,” said Crisafi. “We look to make a great showing at states, and then hopefully make it to the New England Championships.”
Bonner explained that those objectives for states start from within. North Haven must come to the dance with the correct head space that will thrust the team forward to yet another winner’s circle and title plaque.
“There is definitely a lot of pressure surrounding states. We all want to perform well and succeed. I believe we need to show up with a mindset that drives us to perform a routine that we are happy with,” said Bonner. “We all want to finish those last seconds of our routine with smiles, being proud of ourselves for what we have put out. We all understand that our success comes from the energy that we demonstrate. We need to be focused, confident, and have a positive outlook on ourselves, and our competitors, as well.”
In addition to Crisafi, the North Haven coaching staff is comprised of Kayla Crisafi-Capozzo, Jason Burroughs, Jordyn Sheeley, and Jordan Lynch.
The 2023-2024 North Haven cheerleading team roster is comprised of senior captains Bonner and Guarniere, plus additional seniors Lexi Copolla, Emma Baichulall, Lexi Knapp; juniors Gianna Carrano-Lanza, Abby Crowder; freshmen Brandt, Julia Fraenza, Iamunno, Gabby Vitiello; along with additional squad members in Emily Vece, Karter Ballard, Aubrey Bessette, Jennie De Mennato, Lily Donahue, Mia Molyneaux, Kendall Rollier, Grace Segna, Jenna Sagnella, and Alexa Wargo.