MP High Cheer Squad Nominated to Attend Capital One Bowl

The Manassas Park High School Varsity Cheerleading squad is nominated to perform at the 2012 Capital One Bowl game.

The honor to cheer at the New Years Day Game was bestowed upon the team this summer while the team was at the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) camp, Alicia Sowers, the team's coach said this week. 

Manassas Park was the first team nominated this summer by its camp counselor, she added. 

If they win, the 19-member squad will perform during the bowl game's halftime.

In addition to the highly-touted nomination, eight members were selected for the All American Cheerleader Team this month.

Here are their names:

• Macy Gollaher (Captain) 
• Lexi Nunziata (Captain) 
• Megen Tripodi
• Katie Powell 
• Madison Polk 
• Breonna Bibb 
• Jessica Evans 
• Austin McGowan

 Other members of the squad are:

•  Ambershea Brown
• Anjie Diaz
• Victoria Dumas
• Erika Fisher
• Raquel Gaitan
• Casey Halterman
• Rebecca Moreno
• Shelby Pullen
• Chanelle Scott
•  Dante’via Slaughter
• Diana Starbird
• Adrianna Moreno (team manager)

McGowan is also invited to tryout for the UCA—the best cheerleading company in the world, Sowers said. 

Being invited to tryout— called “App’d” in cheerleading world—is an honor given only to seniors on the squad who met the criteria, she added. 

 Coaches said Austin stood out during this month’s UCA camp because of his talent, charisma and leadership potential.

 During the two-day camp, the athletes learned two cheers, two dances, many stunts and new techniques.  

 The cheerleaders are very excited for this coming football season and the competition season, Sowers said.   

 Adding to the excitement of the team’s young season is a trip to West Springfield High in Springfield for a three-day stunt/skills camp.

 Manassas Park High, a Single A school, is typically one of the smallest schools represented at the camp, Sowers said.