Photo taken by Dave Anderson
The new semester has arrived, and the SUNY Old Westbury Cheerleaders are back. Cheerleading has been on campus for two years, going into the third after being absent for two years, due to there being no coach. SUNY OW’s cheerleaders are treated with just as much respect as other sports.
The cheerleaders perform at many events that take place on and off campus, including men and women’s basketball games, Club Bash, Open House, and Panther Pride Kick Off. Also, later on in the season during the spring semester, the cheerleaders will attend and participate in the annual “Make-a-Wish Spirit Showcase” at Suffolk County Community College. The team members are: Victoria Freedman, Cassidy Hurd, Chantel Coleman,Fabi Renois, and Megan Ramanand.
Going into their new season, the cheerleading team will make some changes that differ from last year such as a new coach, new teammates, and different game times (Saturday focused games) with many more other additions scheduled for later on in the season. Victoria Freedman, a sophomore who is going into her second year as a cheerleader, states, “I am excited for our Saturday games and our half-time performances.”
Chantel Haynes, a senior who is going into her third year as a cheerleader, looks forward to showing her spirit with her team again. “Cheerleading is definitely a commitment and dedication needs to be contributed back but it’s a lot of fun,” she said. “We all love each other as one big family and can’t wait for the new team and season.”
The team will hold tryout for new members on Wednesday, October 2nd.
(Disclosure: The author is a member of the cheerleading team.)
