By Erica Florentine
Ocean Star (Star News Group)
February 12, 2010

Last month, a group of spirited cheerleaders, some hailing from Point Pleasant Borough, hopped on a bus to Baltimore, stomachs aching with nerves. The trip culminated with a series of wins larger than any of the girls had ever experienced, or expected, at the American Masters Competition.

The local cheerleaders are from Jersey Elite, a gymnasium based out of Manasquan. The three cheering teams that took the trip to the Baltimore Convention Center were Velocity, a “senior level II” group, Synergy, a “senior level III” group, and the gym’s senior hip hop dancers. Levels are based on skill, and a “level III” group is the highest group of performers.

Each of the three teams won a national championship trophy for their performances that weekend, according to Michele Neiberlien, owner and director of Jersey Elite.

“It was an amazing weekend,” Mrs. Neiberlien said, of the teams’ 3 day-long competition, which took place from Jan. 15 to 17.

She said each of the teams competed with a 2 and one-half minute performance, which mixed together a collection of dance, cheer and tumbling. The performances are set to a series of about seven to eight songs, mixed together.

“We’ve been practicing the routines since June, and they [the cheerleaders] take everything very seriously,” said Mrs. Neiberlien, or “Neibs,” as the students call her.

When asked how the girls come up with the routines they perform at competitions, Mrs. Neiberlien explained that the routines are put together by professional choreographers. Then, she said, “we practice the dickens out of it.”

The gym brings together girls and boys from all over Ocean and Monmouth counties, who spend two nights each week learning new skills and perfecting some old ones.

Christina Garofalo, a ninth-grader from Point Pleasant Borough High School, said she could not have imagined a better turnout for her and her teammates in the January competition, especially after all the hard work and dedication the teams put in throughout the year.

“I am on both of the Jersey Elite cheer teams that won the national titles,” Christina explained. “When Velocity was named as the national champion in our division it was simply unbelievable. When Synergy, my second team, won the honor I cried.

“It's an amazing feeling when both of your teams come home national champions,” Christina continued. “You can't ask for anything more.”

Megann McDonald, a 16-year-old cheerleader from Point Pleasant Beach, was equally as enthralled by her teams’ win.

“I was shocked for a second because we were up against teams a lot larger than ours,” Megann stated.

Megann said this is exactly the reason the teams work so hard throughout the year.

“This is what we strive for,” Megann said. “Getting that national championship jacket feels great.”

Christina agreed with her teammate, stating, “It felt so good that all of our hard work finally paid off. You also realize that all of your determination and dedication is worth it.”

Mrs. Neiberlien said often the cheerleaders come from hometowns near and far, and therefore have a variety of teams their spirits are loyal too. However, inside of the walls at Jersey Elite, the cheerleaders are all one united force.

“It’s wonderful,” Mrs. Neiberlien explained. “Here, it’s nobody but us. We are all friends and work hard together.”

The gymnasium offers a place for the students to learn not only skills, but what it takes to be a team as well.

“Joining Jersey Elite was more than I could have ever hoped for,” Megann said. “The reason I joined was mainly to become a better cheerleader by gaining advanced skills, but in the process I made friendships that will last a lifetime.”

“It's been a great experience in every way,” she continued. “I wish I had joined sooner.”

For their excelled sportsmanship, the cheerleaders from Jersey Elite were presented with an additional surprise during last month’s competition. According to Mrs. Neiberlien, the teams were given an award for Best Sportsmanship.

“It was the icing on the cake,” Mrs. Neiberlien exclaimed. “We’ve never gotten that award before.”

Mrs. Neiberlien said she and her Jersey Elite teams have been bringing their fine-tuned routines to competitions for nearly 11 years. This year proved to be the most successful all around.

“They felt like rock stars,” she said. “I had kids crying, and screaming, and jumping up and down.”

“Morale right now is really good, I have to say,” Mrs. Neiberlien continued. “I always try to tell them, keep working hard and it will pay off, just keep focusing and it will come.”

For this group, the year jump-started with a kick, and now, Mrs. Neiberlien said, her Jersey Elite students are thrilled to keep up with their practice, and hopefully, do just as well in next year’s go-around.

“We’ll just keep practicing and hope for the best,” Mrs. Neiberlien said.

** Reprinted with permission of Star News Group **

Many thanks to the Jersey Elite families who so generously opened their hearts to provide "Help for Haiti".  All donations will be provided to a local Youth Group who is putting together Health Kits, which are being shipped to Haiti through UMCOR. 

Congratulations to Velocity, Synergy and Senior Hip Hop on their National Championship Wins in Baltimore and to Senior Hip Hop for your GRAND Championship win!  The teams performed beautifully and your coaches, family and friends couldn't be prouder!  We love you!  We are also very proud of the Sportsmanship Award we received.  This award was won by all teams, including your families and friends that were there supporting you!

Jersey Elite Supports Operation Sleighbells!  Thank you JEA families for donating your gifts to help families in need this holiday season!  About Operation Sleighbells...  One hundred years ago Family & Children's Service (FCS) began an annual giving program that has distributed thousands of gifts of warm clothing, toys and books to families in need.  As in years past, this year Operation Sleighbells continues to help families throughout Monmouth County.  More than 500 families and nearly 3,000 children will be provided for this season. Families register with FCS from communities throughout Monmouth County.   Click here to read more about Operation Sleighbells as published in the Atlanticville, December 10, 2009: http://atlanticville.gmnews.com/news/2009/1210/front_page/006.html

Pop Warner Cheerleaders from the surrounding area - including Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Brick Dragons and Brick Mustangs have been competing together during Pop Warner's off-season under the direction of Jersey Elite's Owner and Director, Michele Neiberlien and head coaches, Rachel Berkeley and Maureen Garofalo.

Last year was the most successful season for Jersey Elite's half-year team with the team receiving multiple first and second place trophies during the season.  The highlight of the season was when, just two months after the team came together, Excel was entered into a major National Championship in Wildwood, NJ.  Excel finished in first-place, winning the National Championship title and beating out well-known teams that had been practicing and competing all year!  The exclamation point of the season was when they won first place at Cheertech Spring Festival to wrap up the year!  We are very proud of what our girls accomplished last season and we look forward to another exciting season with team Excel!

A limited number of positions are open for the upcoming season, which starts the first week in December.  Call now to reserve your position!  (732) 604-4960.  Pop Warner girls going to Nationals in Disney may start Excel upon their return!  Good Luck!

During the 2008-2009 season, Jersey Elite teams walk away with at least one National Championship title each:  Impact (Small Junior L2), Velocity (Large Senior L3), Excel (Large Junior L2), Junior Hip Hop and Senior Hip Hop.  Congratulations boys and girls!  We would also like to congratulate Senior Hip Hop for their multiple Grand Champion wins!

The 2009-2010 season is already shaping up to be a fantastic one with amazing routines, music and choreography!  Good Luck boys and girls during this season!  Go get em'!

Jersey Elite Cheerleaders to support Team Hope Walk.  The walk is October 3, 2009 at the Taylor Pavilion in Belmar, NJ. Registration begins at 10:30am with the walk stepping off at 11:30am. The Team Hope is a nationwide fund-raising campaign designed to provide hope and support for those touched by Huntington's disease.

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