O’side Cheerleaders to compete in Nationals

Oceanside Varsity cheerleaders will compete in national championships at Disney World.

Courtesy Oceanside Schools

Oceanside High School’s Varisity Cheerleading Team is going to Disney World to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championship on Feb. 7 and 8. This is the first time a team from Oceanside has made it to this competition.

“The girls are very talented this year,” said Coach Kristin Peruffo. “We have a lot more girls that can perform gymnastic skills. We’re able to execute and perform more elite stunts.” Peruffo said her team has been practicing since August and their routine was flawless.

The team got an invitation to Nationals after competing at a Universal Cheerleaders Association regional competition in Stony Brook on Dec. 13. “I was ecstatic and so proud of my team,” said Captain Cindy Duran, 17.

Duran tore her ACL in November — right before competition season — but has continued to help her team in many ways, such as videotaping practices and fundraising. “I’m kind of like the assistant coach now,” she said.

The team had to raise $8,000 in two weeks to pay for travel to Orlando. “We had so many fundraisers,” said Captain Kristen Pizzuto, 17. “We raised way more than we needed.” They sold chocolates and held cheerleading clinics for elementary school students. “We taught them dances and put them in stunts,” said Pizzuto.

“I’m just looking forward to the experience itself,” said Captain Monica Bronnberg, 17. “Being with my team and competing on those mats.”

The national competition will be broadcast on ESPN. The varsity team also placed third in a Long Island competition on Dec. 14 at Smithtown East High School. Finals are on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.