West Sunbury duo claims title
SLIPPERY ROCK — The Rockers All-Star Cheerleading organization has a pair of national champions.
Victoria DeMatteis and Shayla Nagy, 10-year-olds from West Sunbury, recently won the cheer duo national title at the Nation’s Best competition in Las Vegas.
The duo performed a 90-second routine of jumps, tumbling and dance.
“They hit a flawless routine,” said Jacqie Tedeski, owner and head coach of The Rockers. “They wanted it 300 percent.
“They’ve been practicing that routine once or twice a week since September. They were ready.”
The duo beat out their closest competition, which came from Texas.
“In my heart, I knew they could win,” Tedeski said. “But Texas has the best cheerleading programs in the country. That was always in the back of my mind.”
Approximately 200 people watched DeMatteis and Nagy perform. The competition began at 7 a.m. and they had to wait until 10:30 p.m. to do their routine.
“They handled everything well,” Tedeski said. “For a couple of 10-year-olds, they were phenomenal. They showed good sportsmanship, everything.
“We were the farthest team to travel to this competition. They made it pay off.”
The Rockers have 50 girls in the organization. DeMatteis and Nagy were the only two to compete nationally.
Both have goals of being collegiate cheerleaders down the road. A fourth-grader, DeMatteis is as younger sister of Moniteau freshman softball players Kennedy and Kristina DeMatteis. She plays softball as well.
“DeMatteis and Nagy won jackets and individual trophies for their accomplishment.
“We’re still unsure of our plans for next year, but this (Las Vegas) company gives out college scholarships, so they may be back there,” Tedeski said.
“In the meantime, these girls got jackets that say they are national champions. Those jackets are everything in the cheerleading world.”
