North Hills takes 23rd in National High School Cheerleading Championships

The North Hills High School cheerleading squad battled through injury and covid to get to their goal of competing at the cheer competition in Orlando, Fla., the weekend of Feb. 12.

After competing in the WPIAL competitive spirit competition in Hempfield where they qualified for the PIAA State Competition in Hershey, the team put on a sterling performance and qualified to compete at the National High School Cheerleading Championships in Florida.

The team’s last trip to the competition was in 2020, right before the pandemic hit and restrictions were put into place.

Covid impacted the team again this year, but they worked hard and got through the challenges faced.

“The week of WPIALs, we had five girls who tested positive for covid,” said coach Tracy Zangaro, a North Hills graduate and owner of All Star Cheerleading and Dance. “It was really tough to just not feel we were at full strength preparing for the competition.”

During their second performance in Orlando, team member Johnna Mullen broke her hand in three places but was able to complete the routine.

“It was really incredible,” Zangaro said. “It was extremely impressive of this athlete. And as for the team, we were able to remain calm and put one of our subs in and they hit their routine the next day. It was such a triumph for the kids, again, overcoming the adversity.”

The team was thrilled to be able to make the trip at all.

“This year’s trip was extra special to the team,” said senior and team captain Isabella Bell. “I feel like the team appreciated the trip and each other more, which definitely helped us when performing.”

Out of 110 teams, the squad finished 23rd, which was the best finish in the school’s history.

“We are beyond proud of our team and everything we accomplished together,” said sophomore Caitlin Holmes.

“After an incredible season, it was such a great feeling to travel with the team that quickly became family,” said junior Gracie Moffitt.