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Tuckahoe Prepares for 63rd County Cheerleading

TUCKAHOE, N.Y. – The Tuckahoe High School cheerleading squad was doing some extra work during last Saturday’s Section 1 Class D championship football game between their Tigers and Haldane, lifting, jumping and setting formations at halftime.

“We have a competition tonight (Saturday) and the County Championships later his month,” Tigers cheerleading coach Tonia Marie Gallo said as she worked with here girls. “The competition season is here and we are working hard to get things set.”

Tuckahoe’s cheer team, under Gallo and her coaches Christina Buonocore and Tina Garcia, will be one of dozens of local school squads participating at the 63rd Annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational set for the County Center on November 21 and 22 and with the prospect of their sport becoming a sanctioned competitive sport next year, the Tigers are in high gear.

“We’re hoping that New York public schools will approve cheerleading as a team competition sport next fall,” Gallo said. “These girls work hard, the sports is very difficult to master with the lifts and stunts. We have injuries and a tough practice schedule just like any other sport.”

The County Championships have been the local test for cheerleading squads, with teams judged on their jumps, tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids/basket tosses, choreography, timing, projection and difficulty of their routines with trophies awarded for first- and second-place finishes for each of three varsity divisions; first-  through third-place for junior varsity; and first place for middle school.

The Grand Champions trophy competition, during which the first place winners of the three varsity divisions from each day compete, will take place on Nov. 21. At the conclusion of the competition, all varsity, junior varsity and middle school squads will be eligible for the Team Spirit Award sponsored by the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.

Westchester County Cheerleading Association scholarships will be awarded based on candidates’ academic average, a written essay, school and community involvement and cheerleading ability.

Spectator admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students with school I.D. (one ticket per I.D.), and $5 for children under 12. Tickets are on sale at the County Center box office, which is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Parking is $5 per car.

The Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational is sponsored by Westchester County Parks, the Westchester County Cheerleading Association and the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.

For more information, log on at www.countycenter.biz  or call the Westchester County Center at (914) 995-4050. 

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