East Providence High School spirit squad celebrates back-to-back state titles

Townies once again won Co-Ed, overall team championships

By Mike Rego and Nick Friend
Posted 4/8/16

EAST PROVIDENCE _ The East Providence High School competition cheer team recently enjoyed a great deal of success during the championship event season.

For the second consecutive year, the Townies …

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East Providence High School spirit squad celebrates back-to-back state titles

Townies once again won Co-Ed, overall team championships

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE _ The East Providence High School competition cheer team recently enjoyed a great deal of success during the championship event season.

For the second consecutive year, the Townies captured both the Co-Ed Division and overall Interscholastic League state title Sunday, March 13, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. East Providence bested LaSalle for the division crown and West Warwick for the state championship.

“It is a lot of hard work we put in, not just during the competition season,” EPHS head coach Bobbie Simon said. “As soon as I started coaching I tried to implement as much dedication. It all comes from the kids. I try to guide them the best I can.”

“The biggest think that kept them all together and fighting for the same goal was the idea of family,” the four-year coach continued. “Some teams and coaches say we are a family, but this team truly believes it. They are friends inside and outside of practice. I believe that, that alone has been a big factor. It has been a journey for sure.”

At the 10th Annual New England Spirit Tournament hosted by Lawrence (Mass.) High School, the Townies followed up their state performance by finishing sixth out of 16 teams in the Co-Ed Division with a score of 185.3. LaSalle was fourth at the regional event, scoring 194.7.

Lewiston (Maine) won the New England title with a score of 207.4. Fairhaven (Mass.) and Leominster (Mass.) finished second and third, respectively, with scores of 199.4 and 194.8.

“They all came from an area where it has never even been in their reach,” Coach Simon said. “When I came in I said, ‘you guys have what it takes’ and it was just making them believe that they could actually do it. When we were able to do it last year, it affecting these kids. They worked so hard last year and when they were able to come out on top it gave them a whole new prospective of anything can happen. It doesn't matter what the season throws at you, if you keep fighting and pushing it can happen again.”

Coach Simon also mentioned her assistants of whom she said she couldn't have done it without.

“I actually moved back to Rhode Island just to coach and I currently live in Alabama,” Coach Simon said. She is the daughter of former Providence College assistant men's basketball coach Bob Simon, who last year left the Friars to take a similar position at the University of Alabama.

“After winning last year I moved back just purely to coach these kids," she added. "They are a great support system by helping get the season started before I was there. ”

As defending champs, it was a sense of camaraderie and devotion to their teammates that drove the Townies to the back-to-back titles.

“It is all about doing it for each other,” Coach Simon said. “The underclassmen want to do it so badly for the seniors that have led them throughout the season. It is a family that has each other’s back.”

The 2015-16 EPHS cheer team roster included: Gianna Abatecola, Jaina Alves, Kayla Araujo, Gianna Baez, Marc Bergin, Skyla Bergin, Madison Campbell, Veronica DeMedeiros, Giana Fowler, Hailey Hosburgh, Arianna Mello, Timothy Pacheco, Joellyn Pari, Exondia Peterson, Kelsey Poissant, Alexia Quinn, Deidra Rivera, Thalia Santiago, Jayla Semedo, Madison St. Onge, Samantha Willis; Coaches: Bobbie Simon and Chris Ricci.

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