Valley Tech earns program’s first trip to New England meet

By Chris Villani

Half of the Blackstone Valley Tech cheerleading team this winter was made up of freshmen, but the Beavers’ overcame any potential challenges stemming from inexperience and earned their first-ever trip to the New England championships.

“We had a great season,” said head coach Nicole Boucher. “We have a lot of skill on the team and a lot of really hard working, talented athletes.”

BVT placed first at the league meet and also won its division at the regional competition. At states, Valley Tech placed fifth, the best mark in program history. The result gave the Beavers a spot in the New England meet.

Boucher said the team’s ability to motivate one another made the difference in the benchmark season.

“They shared the same focus and vision,” she said. “They all worked really hard and they put in a lot of time outside practice and it all just came together perfectly.”

Even more impressive is that five of the 10 members of the team are freshmen, including league all-star Kinsley Magnuson. 

Senior captain Angelina Morais also garnered an all-star nod, and Boucher praised her contributions.

“She is one of the most well-rounded athletes we have on the team,” the coach said. “She led her team through a lot of trials and tribulations for a really successful season.”

Junior Lillian Deschene served as a captain for BVT this winter as well. The roster also featured junior Ava Robinson; sophomores Hayden Tobin and Lanna Welch; and freshmen Meagan Curley, Sienna Gregory, Anya Hruzd and Nelyra Marquez-Zirkle.

Boucher stressed that everyone pitched in this winter, since every talented flier is depending on having a skilled and steady base.

“It definitely takes a lot of pieces to the puzzle,” she said.

Valley Tech did have the advantage of having a great deal of tumbling talent coming into the year, and even some of its less experienced cheerleaders had strong gymnastics backgrounds. Boucher said that was “vital” to the season, as was her team’s willingness to be coached and its motivation after a subpar season a year ago.

“They were hoping for a fun year and possibly to make it to regionals,” Boucher said, referring to the meet her team would eventually win. “They saw the talent they had and, as we progressed each time, they got hungrier and hungrier to get to that next level.”

With five freshmen and nine athletes returning next year, Boucher is hoping this campaign will set a foundation for the seasons ahead.

“The next few years are looking bright,” she said.