“This is a huge deal,” said coach Alicia Deamer of the Washington Township Unlimiteds Cheer Team of seventh- and eighth-grade girls who made history with a grand champion win at the 2025 Spirit Brands The Grands cheerleading competition in Atlantic City in March.
Through “blood, sweat, and tears,” the Washington Township Unlimiteds Cheer team made up of seventh- and eighth-grade girls made history with a grand champion win at the 2025 Spirit Brands The Grands cheerleading competition in Atlantic City in March.
Township council recognized the team with certificates and applause at a June meeting.
“This is a huge deal,” shared Coach Alicia Deamer, “not only to the Washington Township cheer organization, but also for us because, we watched them put in literally blood sweat and tears.”
It’s the first time a township cheer team has made it to the grand championships and come out on top against top teams across the region. Deamer thanked Mayor Anthony DellaPia and council members for their continued support.
“We had a hard time finding practice locations,” Deamer explained, “and they did everything they could to get us a spot … (council President) Pete (Del Borrello) and the mayor called us once a week to check on us, make sure we had a place and when we were going to be there.
“Thank you for standing behind us and making it all possible for them,” she added. “It really shows the girls that they can trust their town and they support them.”
Coach Yolanda Queen expressed pride for every girl on the team.
“We had many challenges this season,” she recounted. “You just pushed through every boundary that we had. I just couldn’t be thankful for every one of our team. You deserve this. Congrats.”
The Unlimiteds include Amelia LeDuc, Annalise Deamer, Aubrey Louden, Ava Forte, Avriana McErlain, Brielle Otto, Coraleena Benattou, Elizabeth Koons, Emaily Koons, Emery Butler, Eva Gerle, Gabrielle Levin, Gianna Pastore, Giuliana Goffredo, Joussette Torres, Julianna Freitag, Kaitlynn Franchi, Kimani Boone-Irons, Korynne Evans, Leighton Topper, Madilynn Ricci, Maya Edwards, Riley Gunning, Sophie Clark, Taylor Queen and Zoey Wisniewski.
Besides Queen and Deamer, the team’s junior coach is Giamarie DeFiore.
“We were honored to recognize these champions at our recent council meeting,” Del Borrello shared in a social media post. “On behalf of the mayor, council and all of Washington Township, Congratulations, Unlimiteds. You’ve made us proud.”
