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Panas Among Teams That Flock To Hen Hud For Cheerleading Meet

CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- The Hendrick Hudson varsity cheerleading team got to show off its talents on Saturday as it hosted its first cheerleading meet in seven years.

Joanne Bartolomeo, Joan Messinger and Tom Baker hold up Hen Hud cheerleading shirts.

Joanne Bartolomeo, Joan Messinger and Tom Baker hold up Hen Hud cheerleading shirts.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Panas cheerleaders prepare for a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Panas cheerleaders prepare for a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Eastchester cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Eastchester cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Mahopac cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Mahopac cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders huddle up.

Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders huddle up.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Yorktown High School cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Yorktown High School cheerleaders at a cheerleading meet at Hendrick Hudson.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders performing their routine.

Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders performing their routine.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
A Hendrick Hudson cheerleader performs.

A Hendrick Hudson cheerleader performs.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders performing a pyramid.

Hendrick Hudson cheerleaders performing a pyramid.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
A Hendrick Hudson cheerleader in mid-flip.

A Hendrick Hudson cheerleader in mid-flip.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

More than 20 schools from Westchester, Putnam and Rockland County, including Panas, Yorktown, Mahopac and Eastchester showed up at Hendrick Hudson High School to participate in the cheerleading sectionals. 

Hendrick Hudson has 28 girls on the team. Cheerleading was recently recognized as a sport by New York State.

"This is really exciting," Lori Pyrch, secretary of the Sailors Cheerleading Club, said, before the meet. "There is a lot of electricity here. It's an honor to be hosting this."

Pyrch said the Hen Hud cheerleaders were nervous but excited, about getting to perform for their fans. She was pleased that New York recognized that cheerleading as a sport.

"They put in so much hard work," Pyrch said. "That effort deserves recognition. It's been a real long time coming. The girls have so much enthusiasm when they perform."

Joan Messinger and Joanne Bartolomeo were selling t-shirts and other merchandise to help raise money for the team, which is hoping to compete in nationals in Myrtle Beach.

"This is a big fundraiser for the team," Messinger said. "It's every exciting for the girls. They have received a lot of support. So many parents came to help."

Hendrick Hudson football players also came to the event to show their support and volunteer.

Athletic director Tom Baker said it was  good to show off how far cheerleading has come at Hendrick Hudson.

"They put in a lot of time and effort," Baker said.

Baker said the cheerleading team is one of Hendrick Hudson's most visible, always out there participating in community events.

"It is a very positive thing for the district and for the community," Baker said.

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