Gansett Cheerleading Wins 3rd Straight Title

For the third straight year, the Narragansett High School cheerleading squad saved its best performance for its final performance, as it won the Small Division title Sunday afternoon at the Providence Career and Technical Academy.

The team went into the finals seeded third, behind Rogers and Exeter-West Greenwich. The Mariners beat out fellow Small Division schools Middletown, Tiverton, Scituate and St. Ray’s.

Individual cheerleaders will perform Wednesday at La Salle Academy in Providence, at the state all-around championship. As of late February, qualifying cheerleaders were sophomores Chelsea Adler, Alicia Perry and Emily Buonanno, juniors Kaitlyn McGovern and Victoria Sauro, and seniors Sarah Barton, Mairin Cunnie and Raven Radkiewich.

According to a roster on the RIIL website, the other members of the team are freshmen Sydney Varen, Julia Russell, Carleigh Lemay, MacKenzie Davis, Lauren Burguess and Monica Castriotta, sophomores Kaitlin Shadeck, Tiffany Henson, Darby Galliot and Lainie-Ann Carlson, juniors Lauren Wade, Amanda Fasching, Brittany Butterworth and Ashley Conley, and seniors Jaclyn Smith and Kelly Gardner.

The Mariners are coached by Kristen Razza. It is her fourth year coaching the team.

Photos provided by Jennifer Carter of Carter Photography. Please contract her for any reprints or sales.

Weekend Meet Draws Hundreds to NHS

For her senior project, Narragansett High School cheerleader and senior Sarah Barton hosted an exhibition meet at the high school about two weekends ago.

With more than a dozen teams participating, the parking lot at the high school overflowed with cars, as hundreds poured into the gym. Proceeds went to support the squad’s costs.

Kristen Razza, the coach of the high school team and Barton’s mentor, said the senior spent months planning for the event.

“We had to start planning in October and November, getting registrations,” she said. “It was a lot of work for her [Barton].”

Razza said that Barton invited the 13 teams that participated, and also did practically all of the behind the scenes work, such as ordering trophies and t-shirts.

“Sarah did such a good job hosting,” Razza said. “She really did everything.”

Riverside Middle School won the junior high and middle school competition. Burrillville High School won non-member varsity, out of two schools. Cranston East took the junior varsity honors.

Amongst all-girls squads, Warwick Vets High School took first place, followed by Mt. Hope and Cranston East. Mount St. Charles won both the co-ed division, as the only team competing, and the grand champion honor for the entire meet.

Want to be e-mailed when we have future articles on senior projects? Click the follow-up link below! Have your own senior project you want some publicity for? Send an e-mail to Stephen.greenwell@patch.com.

Perry, Sauro Named to Rhode Island All-Around Team

Amongst a crowd of 70 trying out for the honor, sophomore Alicia Perry and junior Victoria Sauro were Narragansett cheerleaders honored by a spot on the state all-around team. Both were chosen after auditions in late January.

“You have to tryout first, then you go in front of a crew of judges,” Sauro said.

“It’s always pretty nerve-wracking,” Perry added.

It is the first year on the squad for both cheerleaders. Sauro said she tried out in 2010, but didn’t make the cut, and Perry said she couldn’t try out because of a shoulder injury.

Sauro was named as a base for the squad, with Perry earning a spot as a back spotter.

Pier School Cheerleaders Also Excel

In their own state meet on March 4, the 17 cheerleaders on the Narragansett Pier School squad took second place in their division, according to coach Charlene Bianco and athletic director Mike Millen.