Newtown High School's cheerleaders jammed months of hard work during practice spent fine-tuning stunts and dance routines into a two-and-a-half-minute performance in the South-West Conference championships, hosted by the Nighthawks, on February 3.

The NHS cheer squad executed a complex routine loaded with synchronized dance, flips, twists, tumbles, tosses, pyramid formations, and numerous other moves. In the end, Newtown placed second among 12 schools with a score of 173. Joel Barlow of Redding, with a score of 177.5, won the title.

It is almost impossible for a perfect routine, and Newtown had a few small hiccups, but bounced back nicely each time to put on an overall impressive display of athleticism and teamwork.

"I think they tried their hardest. It's like any sport - you can have a bad couple of seconds. But, unfortunately, in cheerleading you really can't," Newtown Coach Susan Bridges said. "I'm proud of them."

Bunnell of Stratford finished third with a score of 147.8, New Fairfield was fourth with 139.6, and Masuk of Monroe placed fifth with 136.1.

Newtown previously won the St Joseph competition and Connecticut Classic. The season continues as the Newtown cheerleaders work their way toward the state championships, set for the first weekend in March.

The NHS cheer team comprises Anna Steare, Abby Pearson, Lexy Leidlein, and Grace Baker, Brianna Giglio, Isabella Morganti, Heidi Alvarez, Julia Sullivan, Tori Duarte, Allie Luby, Caroline Tousignant, Julia Pellicone, Gina Lewis, Nicky Shairer, Alexa Gordon, Emi Rosenthal, Ava Berry, Emily Hammond, and Danielle Vigneau.