Misericordia University Cheerleading
301 Lake Street, Dallas, Pa 18612
About The Team
General Information - The Misericordia University cheerleading team is composed of 18 - 25 members. The cheerleading season begins in early September and continues until late March or early April. The team practices three to four times a week for 2  hours per night. They cheer at all home men’s basketball games and select away games.   In addition, the cheerleaders travel to all tournaments and playoff games with the men’s team. Cheerleaders also participate in homecoming events and community service events. Please note: In 2012, MU will welcome a footbal program; therefore, next year the cheerleading team will become active in the fall season.
Tryouts - The program holds spring evaluations in late April or early May for all incoming freshmen, transfer students and/or current students who wish to join the team. Evaluations allow for individuals to get critiqued by the coaching staff so they know what to work on and expect during fall tryouts.  Those who score well during evaluations are given an invitation to UCA summer camp with the team.  Official tryouts take place in the September.  For more information on tryouts, please see the Tryout Page.
Academic Responsibilities - The coaching staff expects excellence in the classroom as well as on the sidelines and competition floor.  The team sets a goal annually to pursue academic excellence.  In the past four years the MU cheerleaders have produced at team GPA averaging 3.2+.  During the 09-10 season 11 members of the cheerleading program were recognized by the university for Excellence in Athletics and Academics.
Community Service - The coaching staff encourages the athletes to not only take an active role on campus, but in the community as well.  During the 09-10 season, MU cheerleaders organized the 2nd annual "Cougars for a Cure" and raised over $3,200 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  In the past two years over $4,700 was donated to St. Jude's by the Cougar cheerleaders. In the 07-08 season, MU helped high school senior cheerleaders at Lake-Lehman raise over $6,000 for Breast Cancer Research.  In the last four seasons, MU has participated in numerous other charity events including the Autism Awareness Walk, Luzerne County Down Syndrome Network's Buddy Walk, United Way fundraising and team-organized food drives. 
Competition - The team also competes several times a year.  In both the 08-09 season and the 09-10 season the Cougars were named all-girl division champions at Complete Cheer and Dance's Moai Madness Championship held at Temple University.  In 2008 the Cougars advanced to the finals and placed ninth at UCA's collegiate nationals where the team competed against Division II and III all-girl teams from across the United States.  In 2004 MU claimed a national title at COA's National Championship in Niagara Falls.  For more details on Misericordia's accomplishments, please see the Competition Results web page.
       2010 - 2011 Team Roster           
Seniors:
Jessica Pavlikowski
Kayla Whipple
Jordan Marzani
Brittany Vetrini
Ann Neary
Juniors:
Amber Schmidt
Alyssa McEntee
Sophomores:
Megan Zelonis
Caitlin Nealon
Jessica Mierzejewski
Sarah Richard
Nicole Grim
Brittany Lovette
Mallory Loughman
Liana Kalish
Brianne Collins
Sophia Genkin
Freshmen:
Brianna Oswald
Megan Scherer
Jessica Reuther
Melanie Harris
Alysha Marzani
Cara Hill
Emily Ritterbeck



Coaching Staff

Tara Sinclair
Tara Coletti-Sinclair is a graduate of College Misericordia and she is a former Cougar cheerleader.  She holds a BA  in English and a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. Tara currently teaches English at Pocono Mountain School District. 

Tara began cheering when she was in Jr. High and continued through college.  She is a former instructor for Eastern Cheer and Dance Association, ECDA.  While working on ECA staff, Tara also served on curriculum staff where she choreographed summer material for the company.  Currently, Coach Sinclair is active in providing choreography for competitive teams.  She has choreographed routines for numerous nationally ranked All-Star programs and competitive high school teams. 

In regards to coaching experience, Coach Sinclair has 12 years of experience on all levels of cheerleding.  She has coached at the rec level, as well as the junior high and high school level.  Sinclair is also a former director, cheer coach and tumble coach for a local non-profit all-star program.

Coach Sinclair is well qualified to serve as Misericordia University's Head Cheerleading Coach.  She holds a master level certification from the NCSSE, the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education.  She is also certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators, AACCA, in cheerleading safety, as well as by the USASF in all levels of all-star cheerleading safety. Finally, Tara attends many conferences and workshops to develop her coaching techniques and update her safety certifications. 

Courtney Coletti
Courtney Coletti is at 2007 graduate of Misericordia University.  During her years at MU, Courtney participated in the cheer program and led the team as captain in her senior year.  In her final year at Misericordia, the team placed in the top two at five regional competitions. She was also a member of an award winning stunt group, which placed second at COA's collegiate nationals in Niagara Falls.

Since graduating, Courtney has pursued a job in the field of education; she is currently employed at Wyoming Area School District.  Coach Coletti returned to Misericordia in the 09-10 season as an assistant coach.  Courtney is a certified cheerleading coach; she is certified by  AACCA and USASF.  She brings coaching experience from working with an all-star program.


Danielle Evans
Danielle Evans is a former Cougar cheerleader; she is a member of the class of 2009.  Danny holds a degree in History and Secondary Education.  In the year after her graduation, Danny returned to the program to serve as an assistant coach.

Danielle is an experienced gymnastic instructor as well as an accomplished cheerleader.  She cheered for school teams from junior high through college.  Danny also has experiencing with the all-star level, both as a performer and as a tumble coach.
 


- Tara Sinclair, Courtney Coletti and Danny Evans
This year the Cougar Cheerleaders are led by senior captains Kayla Whipple and Jordan Marzani, along with junior captain Amber Schmidt.