Trailblazing
CHERRY TWP — From Warrior to Golden Knight, with some trailblazer in between.
Abby Davis' journey to earning a scholarship to continue her cheer career at Gannon University will most certainly pave the way for others from Moniteau High School to do the same.
Davis, who graduates from high school Thursday, signed a letter of intent last month to attend the Division II school in Erie.
Moniteau's competitive cheer program is just two years old and is coached by Jacqie Tedeski and Melissa DeMatteis. Davis was one of 19 members on the 2018-19 squad.
“This is going to do wonders for our program,” said DeMatteis. “A lot of families don't know that there is scholarship money out there for cheerleaders. What Abby has done, it shows other cheerleaders that they need to keep working. Look at what you can accomplish!”
Gannon has three competitive cheer squads — Game Day, All-Girl and Co-ed. All three placed in the top five at nationals, held in Florida in early April.
“I'm not sure what team I will be placed on. They want to first see what skills all of the incoming girls have,” said Davis, a base in routines. “I'll find out in November which squad I will be on. It doesn't really matter to me. Game Day is a lot like competitive spirit, which I did in high school. All-Girl and Co-ed are similar to the all-star cheer teams and I've done a lot of that, too.
“It's taken a lot of hard work and determination to get to this point,” she added. “I'm excited about being part of another successful program and want to contribute as much as I can.”
Davis helped Moniteau do much more than just test the waters of competitive cheer the last two seasons. The Warriors placed third in District 9's small division in the first year and won the medium division this past season. In both cases, the Warriors made it to the state championship competition and reached the semifinals.
“This year, we were going up against schools as big as Shaler and North Allegheny,” said DeMatteis. “Unlike other sports, the PIAA does not split cheer teams up by the number of kids in the school, but by the number of girls you stick on the floor.“I'm proud that we were able to get to the second day two straight years and Abby was a big part of that. She has a lot of experience in tumbling, is a good jumper and just an all-around good athlete. She has good leadership skills and it didn't hurt us that she's a super-smart girl.”Davis, who will be enrolled in Gannon's advanced physician assistant program, gained valuable experience in the sport prior to Moniteau forming a varsity team. She began cheering in the fifth grade under Tedeski and DeMatteis with the Rockers All Stars, based in Slippery Rock. She then joined the FCA Gems in Sarver.Two main factors have kept her involved in the sport this long.“I enjoy the workout part of it. It keeps me fit,” said Davis. “I also like the bond I've formed with my teammates. We're like family and I don't know what I'd do without them.”While her days at Moniteau are over, Davis is taking with her good memories.“We were all very strong cheerleaders,” she said. “We were bred to do this and brought a lot of spirit to the floor.“Jacqie and Melissa have dedicated so much time to me and other girls. They're amazing and I'm so thankful for both of them.”
