Local youths win cheerleading championship

Sussex County — The youth level one all-star program of Westy’s Gymnastics & Cheer won the title of National Champion at the 2006 All Star Nationals in Hershey Park on April 21 to 23. The Team consists of 13 young ladies in kindergarten through fourth grade that hail from Vernon, Sparta, Hardyston, Fredon, West Milford and the surrounding Sussex area. The senior level four team took fifth place out of 10 teams, in spite of the fact that the team is comprised of five high school athletes and ten middle school athletes who “compete up” against teams consisting of all high school athletes. The parents of the team members won “Most Spirited Parent Group” out of more than 75 teams present. In its second year, Westy’s All Stars prides itself on being the fastest growing All Star Cheerleading Program in Sussex County. With staff that combines over sixty years of cheerleading and gymnastics coaching and judging experience on the local and national levels, cheer-athletes have a home in Sussex County. The athletes currently train in a gymnastics facility 12 months a year under the direction of Jo Anne Poppe and Danielle Oehrlich assisted by Heather Richeda and Jennifer Santangelo. Participation in school and recreational activities is encouraged, to develop the whole child. Girls ages five years and up are welcome to consider the program. For more information, call 973-209-1552.