Holmdel D14 Cheer Squad, Coaches Reflect On ‘Memorable’ Season

HOLMDEL, NJ - The Holmdel Hornets D14 cheer squad, a group of talented eighth graders from William R. Satz School, recently finished a very memorable fall 2020 season, complete with socially-distanced sideline time and sparkly face masks. While it was uncertain whether the girls would be able to cheer at all this fall, the young athletes were ultimately able to cheer for all six football games, touting 100 percent attendance at every home game.

“These dedicated young ladies were determined to cheer for their last year of youth cheerleading,” coaches Jennifer Baker, Cara Masucci and Renee Pescatore said in a statement. “After many discussions among the coaches, the girls' families, and our organization, it was decided that our group of eighth graders would try to have a cheer season.”

Coach Baker told Patch that the Holmdel Football Association created a "bubble" of three other teams that Holmdel played against to minimize potential COVID-19 spread among the student-athletes.

Other protocols used to keep players and cheerleaders safe included frequent use of hand sanitizer, temperature checks and the implementation of mandatory health questionnaires before each game and practice. All practices were completed outdoors and the D-14 cheer squad socially distanced when on the sidelines. Of course, coach Masucci also crafted sparkly "Holmdel Cheer" masks for the girls and coaches to wear.

But amid scores of magical moments that were made during this very unique season, the coaches all agree that one moment in particular stood out among the rest:

“Our favorite moments of the season were our final 3 practices when the girls put together a complicated routine to perform at the "Spirit Strong" Cheer Expo hosted by St. Bart's,” the coaches told Patch. “We were under the lights of the Holmdel High School football field and the girls had the entire field to themselves, which never happens. It was one of the last times they were going to be together, and they practiced with true joy.”

The members of the D-14 cheer squad seem to be in agreement, with one member expanding on the special event to Patch:

“My favorite moment from the season is when we performed during halftime and at the expo we participated in. These girls are like family to me and I’m so grateful I got to spend this final season with them,” said member Bella Masucci.

"I am glad that we all still got to get together and have a few games. Definitely happy we did something, with caution,” said member Megan Flannery.

As schools throughout New Jersey threatened the suspension of extracurricular activities, including youth sports, the Holmdel Hornets D-14 cheer team expressed their gratitude for the ability to complete the 2020 season:

“‘Grateful’ is the word we would use to describe this memorable season,” the coaches said. “We are grateful to our wonderful cheer families who took a leap of faith and registered their girls for cheer not knowing if or when the program would be shut down due to the current pandemic. Grateful to have had the privilege of coaching these amazing young ladies, and seeing how much fun they had at practices and games. Grateful that being able to participate in cheer gave them, hopefully, some sense of normalcy during this very sad time. Grateful that everyone was safe.

“Watching how much fun they had this season, hearing them laugh, seeing the respect they have for each other, and how much talent they have, was truly special.”

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