Practice Makes Perfect For Winning Holmdel Cheer Team

HOLMDEL, NJ —It took lots of time and teamwork, but it all paid off for the Holmdel Hornets D14 Competitive Cheer Team that brought home a first place win at the American Youth Cheer finals in Florida.

The team and coaches were honored Tuesday with a proclamation by the Holmdel Township Committee.

And head coach Jean Berardi, for Holmdel Football Association and AYC, said she couldn't be prouder.

"Competitive cheer is a sport where the team needs every member on it to succeed and to exceptionally perform a routine they work perfecting for many hours," she said. "The girls on our D14 Team and their families put in a lot of time and dedication to our team and to their success all season long."

The team won a first place at the Jersey Shore AYC Competition in October 2023 and another first place at the Big East regionals in November, the coach said.

And now they were National Champions at the event in December at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla.

Berardi, who also teaches K/1 Science at the Village School, said the team begins to learn routines and practice at the start of August.

"Our team practices multiple times a week to prepare for three competitions during the season," she added.

And she said high school volunteers at least two years older than the oldest member of the team help to demonstrate cheers, dances and routines to prepare the team for game days and competitions.

The Township Committee also honored head coach Berardi, as well as coaches Allison Marmora and Stephanie Rizzo and demonstrators Sophia Dietz, Mia Marino, Grace Mendini and Ava Pescatore.

Here are the winning - and hard-working team members: Bryn Ballanco; Juliana Berardi; Stefania Bruno; Juliet Burgess; Kylee Carbone; Kaitlyn DePalma; Arianna Flynn; Julia Kern; Sofia Kern; Madeline Marinaccio; Alexa Miravelles; Reese Placca; Amanda Santomarco; Gianna Schaub; and Josephine Serini.

And Berardi said the team also was honored for academics: It received The AYC Scholastic Award for having the highest GPA in their division.

Berardi said the team competed and won 1st Place Champions and Best Pyramid in the Competition at The AYC Jersey Shore Competition at Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton in October. The team competed and won 1st Place Champions at The AYC Regional Big East Competition at Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton in November.