GAME DAY CHEERLEADING: HORSEHEADS HOPING FOR STRONG SHOWING AT STATES (18 PHOTOS) (2024-11-09)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
The last time Horseheads was on the mat in a state championship the made the final at took third in the competitive cheer season last winter.

Now, the Blue Raiders are back on the mat for states, but this time it is the Game Day Cheer Competition.

Last year was the first year of Game Day Cheer and a year ago Horseheads took seventh, missing out on the final.

The Horseheads cheerleaders are excited to be heading back to states this year.

“We are really excited for the opportunity and to just be a part of it again,” senior Madison Mustico said. “Being part of that whole experience is big for us. It’s exciting.”

“I think for me going back to states this year is a big thing,” fellow senior Gianna Ferraro said. “We have a really good chance of winning, so we are hoping to come out with a win.”

Last year’s Game Day cheer wasn’t the best performance, and the Blue Raiders are ready for something better this year.

“We are looking for redemption from last Game Day states,” senior Madison Rose Cavanaugh said.

Horseheads is coming off winning a fourth straight sectional cheer title.

“I know the first time we won sectionals it was really surprising for us,” Ferraro said. “Now, it’s just a really great feeling every single time.”

And, when you win sectionals as much as Horseheads has, the goals are starting to change. Now, the big goal is to win state titles.

“It’s always going to be states (the goal) now,” Mustico said.

“110% I think things have changed for the better,” Ferraro said. “It pushes us every year to be better and work harder.”

Making finals in the competitive cheer season last year has given the Horseheads cheerleaders some extra confidence now.

“You hear your name and you get a second chance (to cheer),” Mustico said of making finals. “We really want to keep up the state finals goal, we have to keep building from that.”

“When you hear your name called that you are going on, it’s a different type of adrenaline that rushes through your body,” Ferraro said. “It’s like I get to go again and you have to push yourself that second time.”

“We work hard for that drive,” Cavanaugh said. “You can look at everybody else and you can tell everyone wants it.”

There are younger cheerleaders going to states this year, with just the three seniors on this year’s team. For the seniors it’s tough to explain what states is like to all the younger girls.

“It’s something you can’t explain until you are there,” Mustico said. “So, you just say stick to your training.”

“I think another thing we have to take into consideration is we are competing at a different venue this year, so definitely getting the new experience at the new place, I think we’ll do great.

“Do what you know. You know you are going to do good. You know what your performance is, so just go out and do your best.”

States is Sunday at Hudson Valley Community College at 11:45 a.m.

While the Horseheads cheerleaders have heard their names called as winners in sectionals, they’d love to hear Horseheads winning states.

“It would just be undesirable,” Mustico said. “Nothing would ever top that.

“We have been pushing ourselves because we know it’s what we want and we are pushing ourselves because this team is special and everyday we push for our goal. I have been cheering for six years for Horseheads. I just want that experience. It’s been a goal for us.”

“I have chills right now just talking about it,” Ferraro said. “I think that would be awesome and a great way to end my Game Day career.

“I think every single time I stepped foot on the mat at the school I wanted to win states so bad.”

“I think our biggest goal is to make state finals and then see what we can do,” Cavanaugh said. “States is a whole different ball game for all of us and it’s something we want to achieve. I know us three, because we are seniors just want that states title so we can feel achieved.”

For Horseheads they know it’s all about the energy with Game Day states.

“We always remember to practice that at practice,” Mustico said of always smiling and being positive. “It’s just what we know to do so the nerves won’t take away from it. We want to put our all into it and leave no regrets, since it’s such a special team, we want to push each other.”

“With Game Day it’s like a mind game,” Ferraro said. “You have to look excited, even if you are tired, you can’t look tired. When you are doing that you might think oh, I’m really tired, but something we’ve heard a lot this season is you are not tired, you are just out of breath. I think that pushes me every day to go farther and farther.”

“Game Day is about making the crowd excited,” Cavanaugh said.

No matter what happens Sunday the girls know they have to stay positive and keep focused.

“Being part of this team is like no other season I’ve had at Horseheads and it’s so special for us,” Ferraro said. “You can’t be mad at yourself for making a mistake, you have to move on.”
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Horseheads cheerleaders prepare for states this week. . . PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES

PHOTO GALLERY FROM PRACTICE:


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