Boston College Student Finalist for Patriots Cheerleading Squad

Boston College student Erica Cadigan, 21, is a finalist for the 2013 New England Patriots Cheerleaders squad.

Cadigan, a Medfield native, is currently a junior studying medicine in the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College. She works in the Oncology-Hematology Units at Children’s Hospital in Boston as well as on the General Medicine Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In addition to her work and school studies, Cadigan is an active volunteer in the Kreative Kids program at Boston College, which is a music program for children with special needs.

Cadigan has had many years of dance training at both Sheri Gold's Brockton dance studio and Jeanette Neil’s Boston dance studio. When it comes to cheerleading, Cadigan has had about 15 years of gymnastics and cheerleading experience, including time spent cheering at the collegiate level at Boston College.

The interview process for the squad began earlier this month when approximately 320 applications were submitted at open auditions, among the highest turnout in team history. Fifty-seven candidates were invited back for final auditions on March 16.

The annual Patriots Cheerleaders Boot Camp, the final step in the month-long process to select the 2013 squad, kicked off last week. 

Now, entering its final stages, 36 contestants will compete in the annual boot camp portion, which consists of four sessions. At the end of the fourth session on March 30, 24 of the most talented, fit and qualified women will be selected for the 2013 Patriots Cheerleaders.

The finalists will run through intensive training sessions consisting of elements of standard Patriots Cheerleader practices. The sessions will involve rigorous fitness and physical training, choreography, public speaking exercises and promotional appearance training drills.

The 2013 Patriots Cheerleading Squad rehearses twice each week and performs at all Patriots home games. 

Newton Patch  Facebook | Twitter | Email Updates | Instagram