DANBURY, CONN. — On March 20, the Western Connecticut State University Cheer Team won first runner-up in the medium collegiate division of the college open at the Cheer Ltd. national cheerleading competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Head coach Debbie Bisaccia and Assistant Coach Amy Ballantyne had prepared the 18-member cheer squad for the competition since August 2009. Bisaccia, who has coached the girls since 2001, said the team practiced their routine between the rigorous schedule of home WCSU football, men’s and women’s basketball games; and team charity, campus and fundraising events.

Typically, the WCSU Cheer Team competes for local titles in Connecticut and Massachusetts, so traveling more than 800 miles for its first national competition to end up winning first runner-up is worth celebrating. The squad was excited to compete in its first large-scale competition, and also felt particularly competitive with Indiana University Southeast’s cheer team because IUS won the competition last year. Despite slight anxiety about their rivals, which, beside Indiana University Southeast, included James Madison University, Landers University and Winthrop College, the girls finished strong and “our seniors were excited that they went before they graduated,” Bisaccia said.

Several injuries and illnesses days before the four-day competition did not prevent WCSU from demonstrating excellent skills in voice, motions, sharpness, performance, stunts, tumbling, tosses and jumps, reported Bisaccia. “The girls gave 110 percent no matter how they or their bodies felt.”

The WCSU Cheer Team’s performance in the competition earned its members some hardware that included individual medals and a team trophy.

Team members include: Merisa Ajazi, of Morris; Rachel Babecki, of Guilford; Sara Burke, of New Milford; Samantha Cawley, of New Milford; Bianca Cenatiempo, of Norwalk; Deanna Dellagioia, of Milford; Lauren Despuches, of Farmingville, N.Y.; Kara Doolittle, of Bristol; team captain Amanda Giangregorio, of New Milford; Stephanie Hancock, of Westhampton, Mass.; Tiffany John, of Trumbull; Corrine Lursen, of Farmingville, N.Y.; team captain Alexandria Mattei, of Waterbury; Bianca Paolello, of Mahopac, N.Y.; Caitlin Poulsen, of West Haven; Erica Schwab, of Bristol; Alexandria Sollazzo, of Norwalk; and Heather Tomasson, of Farmingville, N.Y.

For more information, call (203) 775-2424.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.