Junior Colonials Cheerleaders Prep For Season

Quite a few kids from Morristown, Morris Township, and Morris Plains will be enjoying Junior Colonials Football without cleats, helmets or shoulder pads this season: the Junior Colonials cheerleaders.

This year over 140 girls ages 6-14 showed up to the Junior Colonials Cheerleading camp, which was held at Cornine Field and Lake Road Field in Morris Township. The number of girls participating in the program has grown steadily over the five years since the cheerleading squad was founded.

“We have 40 more girls from last year,” said program co-director Chrissy Croonquist. “Support from the community has really helped the girls grow and get better each year.” 

Croonquist and co-director Jen Kurnow said they enjoy teaching the girls the basics at the recreation level, since these skills will help the girls through high school, college and competitive levels.

Rachel Carrubba of Morristown started cheering with the Junior Colonials five years ago, and has gone on to big time cheerleading competitions with Star Athletics in Boonton.

"It was fun to learn with the Junior Colonials." She said, "It helped me to go on to the next level... and be successful at more competitive cheerleading competitions." Rachel hopes to coach at the high school level someday.

A few of the mothers also coach. Clinic Co-Coaches Tammy Tanga and Sherri Stelletell told how they got involved.

"We were going to every practice and every game, so we decided to coach," said Tanga.

"We weren't even cheerleaders in High School," added Stelletell. "But our daughters loved it so much, and we thought it was a fun way to get involved with the kids."

Registration is closed for the 2011 cheering season. However, the Junior Colonials Cheerleaders would enjoy your support at any of the Junior Colonials Football games. Perhaps their hard work will inspire you to register for the 2012 season.