UPDATE: Notre Dame Academy (NDA) has just secured a monumental victory at the UCA Northeast Regionals, overcoming a serious setback to clinch a double bid to the Nationals in Walt Disney World. This thrilling win took place at the Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, where the Gators showcased incredible resilience following a dramatic fall during their performance.
In an urgent turn of events, NDA was forced to execute their Medium Game-Day II routine twice due to an injury sustained by a cheerleader. Fortunately, after a brief evaluation, the athlete was cleared to compete again, allowing the team to regroup and perform with renewed vigor. The Gators not only secured a first-place victory in Small Varsity II but also earned their bid to compete at Nationals.
With a score of 90 before deductions, NDA finished with 88 in the Game-Day competition, clinching fourth place and a coveted spot at Nationals. “We knew we were going back on again, so we told them to just block everything else out and hit [the routine] harder,” shared coach Andréa Vindigni.
After several hours of waiting, NDA’s traditional routine was performed for the first time this season, concluding with a score of 85.4. “It was very exciting and we were all happy,” said Danielle Vindigni, reflecting on the team’s impressive turnaround. “They did an amazing job with switching their mindset, trusting themselves and each other.”
St. Joseph by-the-Sea and St. Joseph Hill Academy also celebrated significant achievements, earning their own bids to Nationals. St. Joseph by-the-Sea secured second place in Large Varsity I with a score of 76.8, finishing at 72.05 after deductions. “We were very excited to earn second and a bid to Nationals,” remarked head coach Kim Kukal. Meanwhile, St. Joseph Hill clinched sixth place in Small Varsity II with a final score of 75.1.
As NDA prepares for the upcoming Nationals, they will face stiff competition, but their remarkable resilience and teamwork will serve them well. The stakes are high as they aim to bring home a championship amidst the excitement of performing at Disney.
The cheerleading community is buzzing with anticipation, and all eyes will be on NDA and their fellow Staten Island teams as they make their way to Florida. “They fought for that, worked really hard for it, and they deserved it,” concluded coach Kim Fitzgerald, praising the team’s determination.
Looking ahead, NDA will continue to train for their performance at Nationals, scheduled for April 2024, while Moore Catholic will compete at the Keystone Regional on December 7, 2023, in hopes of securing their own bid. Stay tuned for more updates on these inspiring athletes as they chase their dreams on the national stage.
