MacArthur Cheer Squad Heading To National Competition

LEVITTOWN, NY — The General Douglas MacArthur High School cheer team qualified for the UCA National Competition in Orlando, Florida this February. They also finished first in the Northeast region, beating out competitors Rocky Point, Mount Sinai and Connetquot.

The MacArthur cheer team has been participating in the national competition since 2010 and has been ranked top 10 in the country multiple times. They placed first at UCA’s Empire Regional — the first time in MacArthur history — awarding the team with a bid to nationals and a championship banner to hang in the gymnasium. The cheer squad finished with a score of 92 out of 100, thanks to a flawless routine that received zero deductions.

The team was also able to host a local competition at MacArthur involving varsity, junior varsity and middle school players from Levittown.

“Setting these big goals takes work,” said varsity head coach Lisa Nessler. “These girls practiced four days a week throughout the entirety of summer. They give up their weekend; they miss vacations and family parties — but the reward is sweet.

“Setting these goals isn’t easy,” Nessler continued. “Sometimes there is failure, sometimes there is success. Either way, we’re a family, we learn, we grow, and we keep rising. It’s the journey that makes the athlete.”