Bartlett places 8th in nationals; Cheer team to be honored Mar. 7.

Byline: Debbie LaPlaca

WEBSTER - Bartlett High School cheerleaders brought home honors last month by capturing eighth place at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship that was held in Orlando Feb. 9-12.

The Bartlett team competed in the Small Varsity Division, consisting of 56 teams from across the country. Bartlett achieved one of the highest scores in the preliminary competition and was selected to skip the semi-final rounds and advance to the final round.

"With such a young team, it was our goal to make the semi-finals this year. We were thrilled to have scored high enough to move straight to finals," Coach Kristyn Luksha said in the team's announcement.

The Bartlett cheerleaders competed against the top 15 teams in the final round, placing eighth in the country.

Coach Gina Keddy summed up the experience.

"Cheerleading has progressed to such a high level that it is an absolute honor to place among the best high school cheerleading teams in the nation," she said.

The team will be honored at the school's winter sports awards ceremony March 7.

The Bartlett National Competition Team cheerleaders are: Marriah Miller, Sean Kielar, Shernika Speights, Samantha Rekowski, Lauren Kusek, Samantha Buckley, Gretchen Heckler, Jennifer Brennan, Jessica Tetreault, Jenna Recko, Stephanie Rekowski and Rena McGeary.

The team is coached by Louise Cote, Ms. Luksha and Ms. Keddy.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Squad members help get Rena McGeary up and ready to tumble during a routine.

PHOTOG: COURTESY PHOTO