Farmingdale, Rocky Point and Mount Sinai among Newsday's 3rd annual Cheer Fest winners

Newsday’s third annual Cheer Fest featured impressive performances from squads all over Long Island in both Game Day and Traditional styles.

In the Game Day session, Ward Melville took the Class A crown with a meet-high score of 95.40 and Seaford won Class B with a score of 89.70. The Traditional session was split into four classifications, including a coed division.

Freeport won the coed division by nearly 15 points with an impressive score of 95. Coach Laurie Kolodny said this year’s squad is among the best she has ever seen. Mya Grayson and Jeffrey Deras Moya were standouts on the mat.

“This is my 37th year coaching and that was honestly the best routine I've ever seen in my entire career,” Kolodny said. “It was so energetic and they performed their hearts out. Their execution was spot on. I mean, there really isn't anything more I could have asked from them.”

Forty-seven Long Island varsity cheer teams competed at Newsday's Cheer Fest at Hofstra University's David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Sunday.

Reigning Nassau champion Farmingdale topped Class A with a score of 93.30 and Rocky Point won Class B with a score of 93.10. Rocky Point coach Samantha Ferrara said what makes Cheer Fest unique is the opportunity to compete against teams she wouldn’t normally see in the regular season.

“It’s fun to watch teams from Nassau and see where other teams are at versus where we’re at,” Ferrara said. “We can all learn from each other and that’s a cool experience. We watched Farmingdale and they’re so clean that I was using it to coach and point out things that we could be doing better.”

Six-time state champion Mount Sinai won Class C with a score of 88.90. Coach Megan Hine said seniors Kennedy Kearns, Jordan Lumley and Madison Grego’s energetic performances played a significant role in the team’s success.

“Our three seniors have really led this team all year,” Hine said. “They're the backbone. They hold us together and they emulate what you want to be as a leader. The whole team is really such a family this year. They work hard not only for themselves, but for each other.”

And to win it all? Hine said the experience is unmatched.

“It’s so exciting,” Hine said. “It’s not just a regular meet in our gym. There’s a big stage, there’s bright lights, there’s a trophy. The kids love it. It’s so nice to have the kids be recognized and watch them perform at such an exciting level.”