Novato High cheer team places at Nationals

The Novato High varsity cheer and dance team captured fourth place in its division at the United Spirit Association Nationals competition in Anaheim.

“I told the girls to believe in their coaches, believe in themselves and believe in their team and to go out on the floor and give everything they had,” coach Michelle Piltch said. “This team met every goal beyond my expectations. The level of pride that I have for these girls is unmeasurable.”

“Not only are these girls amazing athletes but they love what they do,” coach Patti Nave added.

The 20-member Hornet team competed in the Large Varsity Show Cheer Novice Division against 12 other squads during the event March 20-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The varsity team is coached by Piltch and Nave, who are assisted by daughters Jessica Piltch and Dolly Nave-Kilpatrick.

Varsity team members are Shayda Bakhtiari, Valeria Bordas, Sophia Crescibene, Erin Davies, Alex DeGreef, Daniella Ingargiola, Kaitlyn Jensen, Eliana Katelanis, Nami Kong, Megan McGrath, Janette Meza, Natalie Moran, Abby Peach, Mia Pecek, Jamie Planka, Kiley Santella, Claire Uicker, Kaziah Watson, Emma Weisberg and Jessica Zavosky.

The 16-member junior varsity team also competed at the Anaheim event, which drew thousands of cheerleaders from hundreds of schools. The JV team is coached by Cathy Caliguire, Teresa Ford and Kristen Nehasil.