Massapequa Cheerleader Helps Lead Team To Championship

Massapequa High School graduate Kiana Nieto and the Sacred Heart University cheerleading team won the university’s first-ever UCA National Championship, earning the crown in the All-Girl Division I category at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.

"We are so proud to have earned this championship title," said SHU head coach CJ Sereno. "It is remarkable what our team has been able to accomplish this year. We truly have a special group of athletes. Their positive attitude, dedication, commitment and love for this program made the work all worth it. We never thought this was attainable. We're dreaming with our eyes wide open."

SHU posted the top score in the finals, recording a 90.3 (out of 100) among the eight teams that qualified for the finals. The division featured 15 teams, including Morehead State and the University of West Georgia, who have dominated the competition over the past many years. But this year, Sacred Heart University hit the cleanest routine in the division and came out on top.