Competitive cheerleading allows spectator increase at RIT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Competitive cheerleading championships at RIT have been underway since Saturday morning.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association approved a spectator limit of 500 people. Each athlete was allowed two guests.

However, there are still rules. The guests must be fully vaccinated and masks are required at all times. But this differs from competition rules, as the 900 student athletes are a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals – which is under RIT’s policy.

NYSPHAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas chimed in on the event.

“I think the most important part of today really this entire school year is that the kids are back there participating they’re gaining incredible benefits from those participation opportunities and compared to where we were last year I really think we’re moving in a very positive direction," Zayas said.

Kristen Catapano, a parent of a student athlete competing on Saturday also gave her take on being able to watch her daughter cheer.

“My student athlete is my daughter Sabrina she’s a senior varsity cheerleader, she’s been cheering since five years old today is the last day that I will get to see her chair and I had never missed one of her performances and I wasn’t gonna miss this one”," Catapano said.

Teams competed at Gordon Fieldhouse at RIT.