Hilton Cadets return to Rochester with Cheerleading Nationals win

HILTON, N.Y. (WHEC) — For the third time since 2019, Hilton Varsity Cheerleading has won Nationals. But this time around, it wasn’t as easy.

For nearly two years, the Cadets had to practice and perform with heavy COVID regulations. The team couldn’t travel. Performances happened in empty gyms, and the chemistry of the team was lost whenever any of the girls came down with COVID.

“We were having to practice and perform for weeks on end with missing puzzle pieces,” said Cadets Cheer Coach Shelly Caamano.

Despite the dysfunction, Hilton held strong and rallied.

“Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything that could break us,” said senior cheerleader Savannah Hicks.

In Orlando the weekend of March 19 and 20, that proved to be true as Hilton took home the Advanced Varsity All-Music Division crown.