The Alfred University cheerleading team is eager to return to action, as a full schedule provides opportunities to grow as a program. The roster will return a variety of returning athletes, along with first-year talents.
The Saxons will be led by Head Coach Amy Button-Ervin, who is entering her third year with the program.
"I'm really excited about this upcoming season," Button said. "This will be our first time in front of fans since becoming a varsity program. There is a lot of great competition in our division, so there are some nerves. Still, we're going into this season with a growth mindset and being focused on getting better each weekend."
Among the returners for the Saxons include Sara Badeau (Canaseraga, NY/Canaseraga Central), Melissa Fontanarosa (Port St. Lucie, FL/Liverpool), Chloe Fox (Cohocton, NY/Wayland-Cohocton), Jubalee Krisher (Bath, NY/Bath-Haverling), Lily Laughlin (Larchmont, NY/Mamaroneck), Brandy Owens (Rochester, NY/Bishop Kearney), and McKenzie Wilson (Syracuse, NY/Cicero North Syracuse).
"Our upperclassmen have meant everything when it comes to the movement of this program," Button said. "This originally started as a club that was run by students. They have watched this transition and have continued to engage. The upperclassmen have taken on a supportive role and have stepped up when it comes to encouraging and motivating other members of the team."
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Alfred University competed in the Virtual Road to Daytona Showcase in March of 2021. This season, the Saxons will begin competition at Elmira on March 6. The schedule will also feature competitions at Keuka, Penn State Behrend, and Gannon.
"We started to prepare our routine over the fall semester," Button said. "Performing at the Hall of Fame game was helpful in building our confidence. Since then, we've ramped up our practice schedule and are focused on upgrading certain parts of our routine as the season continues."