Cheerleading GEMS Stars Gain National Recognition

Cheerleaders from Mendham, Chester, Morristown, Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Sparta, Jefferson, Long Valley and Randolph place in Cheersport competition.

The GEMS Cheer Stars of Randolph, featuring cheerleaders from Mendham, Chester, Morristown, Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Sparta, Jefferson and Long Valley, had four teams that come home with top three placements and fifth place from the 2013 CHEERSPORT National Cheerleading and Dance Championship. The competition was held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia last month.  The GEMS athletes live throughout the Morris County communities and all attend different schools from Elementary on up to High School.  The GEMS Cheer Stars competed against over 950 teams from across the US (including Alaska and Hawaii) and a few teams from Canada and the UK as well. The Cheer Stars will be back at it this weekend as they head to another …

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VIDEO: Van Beke, Hopatcong's Scholar Athlete

The senior three-sport athlete does it all.

Jackpot! Hopatcong Cheerleaders Win in A.C.

Warriors dominate Battle at the Boardwalk, earning top overall score.

What a weekend. The Hopatcong Warriors cheerleaders were crowned Battle at the Boardwalk national champions for the junior recreational level 3 group. Up against teams from New Jersey and Maryland, the Warriors wowed the Atlantic City Convention Center, taking first place in partner stunts and second place in pyramid stunts. The scores combined for the event's top overall performance. Want to congratulate the girls? Tell us in the comments. Got some more youth sports news? Email brendan@patch.com.

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Rich Smith

7:21 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

This is not just a bunch of kids jumping around yelling “Go team go!!” It takes skill and practice and our kids did a great job. Congratulations Warriors!!!!   more ›

Hopatcong Cheerleaders Ace Competitions

Junior and senior Wildcats squads take first place at invitational.

Talk about a sweep. The Hopatcong Wildcats senior and junior cheerleading teams each won gold medals at the David Brearley High School 2012 Bears Invitational in Kenilworth. "Many of the younger girls look up to their older counterparts for their talent and experience," Wildcats parent April McDonough said. "Some of the senior cheerleaders even help instruct the junior team with what little free time they have after school. Both squads present themselves in a respectful manner that reflects positively on Hopatcong." Want to congratulate the girls? Tell us in the comments. Got more borough youth sports news? Email brendan@patch.com.

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VIDEO: Hopatcong Wildcats Thrill Crowd

Cheerleaders flip, soar in front of home crowd.

Football season is over? So what?! The Hopatcong Wildcats spend almost the whole year impressing judges and winning over fans, and Sunday was no different. The Wildcats travel cheerleading squad hosted several teams during the all-day event, tumbling and soaring before a packed Hopatcong High School gym. In the Youtube video above, the Wlidcats put on an especially intricate routine, culminating in a standing ovation. Want to congratulate the girls? Tell us in the comments.

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Hopatcong Youth Cheerleaders Dominate

Talk about starting a season right.

Two, four, six, eight, which cheerleading team is really great? Well, the Hopatcong Warriors cheering squad. That's who. The Warriors took first place at Delaware Valley High School in Milford, Pa., in a competition against Newton, Valley Central and Wallkill. The fifth- through eighth-grade girls shined in their first meet of the season. Hopatcong will take on Paramus Catholic on Saturday. Want to congratulate the girls? Tell us in the comments.

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Winter Cheerleading Back at Hopatcong

After five-year absence, a reinvigorated group—and a low-cost plan—returns the sport to the high school.

Briana Stednick will wave a pair of pom-poms for the first time since grade school in a few weeks. Stednick, a junior, is one of many girls who have never been on Hopatcong High School's cheerleading team but will perform for the winter squad, which will resurface for the first time in five years thanks to grassroots funding and an outpouring of student interest. "It's an opportunity to join a team again," Stednick said. Of the team's 28 members, only six have cheered for the fall competition team. Head coach Jennifer Dixon said she's looking forward to helping groom a new crop of talent alongside assistant coaches Debbie Titus and Jill Vicedomini. "There are a lot of girls here that didn't come out for football and just want to cheer," …

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PHOTOS: Warriors Cheerleading Gets Pumped

Sunday's pep rally wasn't just for Hopatcong football.

The Hopatcong Warriors football teams might bring the heat. But its the Warriors cheerleading squads that help stoke the flames. Hundreds packed the Hopatcong High School football field and stands to watch help both squads get the season started right, cheering loudly at each athlete's name, proudly donning green and white. And the cheerleaders matched the crowd's excitement, proving they're ready to spend the year pumped people up. Check out our Warriors cheerleading shots above. Got some encouraging words for the Warriors cheerleaders? Tell us in the comments.

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