Seaford cheerleading team celebrates successful season

Tension was palpable in the crowded Wantagh High School gymnasium at the Nassau County Cheerleading Championships on Feb. 26.
“And the Nassau County championship title for Large Varsity Division II goes to…Seaford High School!’

Green bursted across the floor as the 24 Lady Vikings, who had been clenching each other’s hands, broke their tight circle. The teens were thrilled, school district officials noted, because they had just made Seaford history by capturing the crown.

The victory earned the Lady Vikings a spot in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Cheer Championships, which was held at Onondaga Community College in March. The squad placed fourth in their division in the competition.

Leaders of the district, which takes in students from Seaford and a portion of Wantagh, said that they were proud of the varsity cheerleading team. Coach Lisa Ferrari, who has been a part of the program for nine years, commended the students for their hard work and determination.

“This team has overcome every obstacle that has come in their path,” she said. “We always try to challenge ourselves and always be better than we were the year before.”

Ferrari said that most of the Lady Vikings have been cheerleading for years. Many were members of the Long Island Broncos organization when they were elementary school students, she noted.

Because the cheerleaders are experienced and know each other well, Ferrari said that the team quickly developed a strong chemistry. She likened the tight-knit group to a family. 

“I have two kids at home,” she explained, “but in reality, I have not only two, but 26 children.”

Four seniors capped their final season with Seaford with county and state championship success. Kristina Bouretis described it all as bittersweet.

“Taking the mat at every competition, knowing it was my last time, was such an adrenaline rush,” she said. “I felt like I could do anything — if I wanted to lift a car, I probably could.”

Captain Tiffany Casella has been involved with the varsity program since she was in the eighth grade. She said that her main focus during the season was encouraging her teammates.

“Sometimes it’s hard to put that ‘captain face’ on,” Casella said. “But it’s about stepping up when the coach needs you and letting everyone know that they have a place on this team.”

Ferrari said that she and her team have very close relationships with the Wantagh and MacArthur high school squads, which also enjoyed success on the county level. She described them as sister teams when traveling to national competitions.

“Long Island cheerleading is competitive,” she said. “We are all here to make this sport shape up to the times and make it better than ever.”