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RHS cheerleaders take home top prize in regional competition

COURTESY PHOTO | The Riverhead cheerleading team took top prize at the regional Scarsdale competition Saturday.

Riverhead’s varsity cheerleaders wowed a panel of judges with their spirit and pep Saturday, taking home the top prize in a regional cheer competition in Scarsdale, N.Y.

The varsity cheerleaders not only bested 12 other teams for the small varsity title, they beat all 24 competing squads — taking home the grand prize, according to their coach Stephanie Piraino.

“This past weekend’s success was a combination of a powerful routine packed with expert level stunts and tumbling as well as an extremely committed week,” Ms. Piraino said. “The team was consistent every single day at practice last week.”

The team will be attending another local competition Jan. 28 in Eastchester, N.Y. and participating in a fundraiser in Hampton Bays on Feb. 4 for the Ronald McDonald Kids Stock the House fund.

The girls will get the chance to take it to the next level next month, when they compete in the Cheersport Nationals competitions in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 17 through the 19.