Division cheerleading recaptures Nassau Class B crown
The Division girls cheer team celebrates winning the Nassau Class B cheerleading championship on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at Farmingdale State College. Credit: Howard Simmons
The Nassau Class B cheerleading title has bounced around in recent years but, this time, Division took it back.
The Blue Dragons earned their second-ever crown with a score of 94.05 at the Nassau cheerleading championship on Saturday at Farmingdale State College. Senior Mia Stimac, a five-year member of the varsity squad, said she couldn’t think of a better way to end her last county championship.
“Hearing our name called was such a surreal feeling,” Stimac said. “We worked so hard and we put each other first. We’ve been focused on our team all season, nobody else, and I feel like we really deserve this.”
Senior Victoria Sepulveda said Division will carry the momentum of this win into the state meet, where the Blue Dragons will compete for their second state title in program history.
“We have so much confidence going into states,” Sepulveda said. “We said that this wasn’t going to be our last competition and we meant it. It’s so special and I’m so excited.”
Farmingdale takes fourth in row
When the Farmingdale cheerleading team secured its fourth-consecutive Class A title with a score of 94.90, the Dalers proved they’re here to stay.
As the program formed only eight years ago, coach Caitlin Beatrice said the team’s quick and consistent success proves just how special the group is.
“I’ve had most of these girls since they were freshmen, and the teams before them really paved the way,” Beatrice said. “Only a few years ago this team didn’t even compete. This is a true testament to their grit, dedication and athleticism.”
For seniors Kaylee Mendelson and Jasmin Lawrence, both four-year members of the varsity squad, all they know is winning. Lawrence said when she and her team got that first taste of a championship, they didn’t want to let it go.
“That feeling when we won our first county championship was unreal so we just wanted to do it again back-to-back-to-back,” Lawrence said. “This legacy is going to set the tone for everyone who comes after us.”
The Dalers are on the hunt for their first state title since 2020. Mendelson said she thinks this veteran squad has what it takes to reclaim the crown.
“This win will make us hungrier than ever,” Mendelson said. “We placed second at states for the past two years and, especially as seniors, we’re so ready to be in that top spot.”
10 straight for Seaford
With a score of 86.90, Seaford earned its 10th-consecutive Class C title. The Vikings returned only three athletes to this year’s squad after graduating a dominant senior class last season, but there was no dip in the team’s caliber.
“These girls work extremely hard,” coach Brenda Martin said. “Starting in the off season, they just grind and they never settle. They push themselves to the limits every single season. I think the main thing is that they work together no matter what. They’re always there for one another every step of the way.”
Seniors Kayleigh Elias and Brianna Sidoti are two of the three returning members this season. To them, the win is an important stop on their road to the ultimate goal: a state title.
“We know we can’t get comfortable,” Elias said. “We’re going to work even harder than we have been all season and continue to have that fire under us.”
“We all know we’re capable of getting something like a state championship,” Sidoti added. “Everyone is going to fight as hard as they can to get one.”
Trifecta for Freeport in co-ed
The Freeport cheerleading team secured its 3-peat in the co-ed division with a score of 93.30. Coach Laurie Kolodny said her decorated squad’s high ambition plays a major role in the Red Devils’ continued success.
“We set really high goals in the beginning of the season and pretty much every one of them has been accomplished,” Kolodny said. “We’ve been undefeated in New York so far this year which just shows how dedicated and driven they are. They’re a very special group.”
Senior Mya Grayson said winning three titles in a row proves that Freeport has what it takes to keep the success rolling.
“This win shows how dedicated we are and how hard we’ve worked to stay at the top,” Grayson said. “It shows how much time we’ve spent every single day, every single night in the gym. We always show up and we always give our 100%.”
As the Red Devils turn their focus to the state championship, senior Alexis Sewer said she and her team will take the grit and determination they used to win the Nassau title and bring it to the next level.
“It shows how much we love this sport and that we do it for each other,” Sewer said. “We consider ourselves a family and, when we really want something, we’ll fight for ourselves and for each other and for this team to go get it.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
