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BRICK GIRLS CHEER, CHEER, CHEER TOWNSHIP TO THE TOP
By Catherine Snipe
 | | The girls of the Pop Warner Brick Mustangs and Dragons join the township council Tuesday as members recieved a resolution honoring 195 members who qualified for the national competition. |
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In Florida, the girls jumped, screamed and cried in celebration.
Months later, the celebration of six nationally ranked cheer and dance teams from Brick continued during the normally subdued township council meeting this week. That's where more than 100 of the girls and their coaches lined up to receive township resolutions congratulating them.
Parents and friends of the champions packed town hall as township council and the mayor bestowed praise. Mom and dad's cameras flashed as their daughters shook Mayor Daniel Kelly's hand. Rounds of applause and hoots and hollers filled the room as the national trophies entered the hall.
"Welcome to Pop Warner night," Council President Stephen Acropolis said. "This one might break some attendance records for a council meeting."
The squads: Dragons Pee Wee Novice Dance, Dragons Junior Pee Wee Large Cheer, Dragons Midget Large Cheer, Mustangs Midget Large Intermediate Cheer, Mustangs Pee Wee Gold Large Intermediate Cheer and the Mustangs Junior Midget Small Intermediate Cheer.
 | | --Photos By Catherine Snipe Council President Stephen Acropolis hands out a resolution honoring members of the Brick Pop Warner dance and cheer squads. The beaming girls recieved applause from the audience at the township council meeting Tuesday, heralding their successes at the local, state, regional and national level this season. |
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Each had to win or place in the Jersey Shore, State and Eastern Regional Competitions in order to advance to the national test.
All the teams did well, and two are tops in the nation - the Dragons Midget Cheer and the Mustangs Junior Midget Cheer teams.
"This is a proud day for Brick," Councilman Anthony Matthews said.
Just under 200 girls compete on the six squads, which are part of the Brick Pop Warner program. The Mustangs are associated with Brick Memorial and the Dragons with Brick.
"Two sides of township were represented," Matthews said, "and they are normally considered rivals. But in Florida each cheered on the other from the sidelines," said Matthews, who traveled to the national contest to see his daughter perform.
The township council was also impressed that Brick managed to have six teams qualify for the national competition.
"If you're lucky one town from the state will get to nationals," Matthews said. "To have six teams from the same state go is a very impressive thing, and the six all came from the same town. They all come from Brick."
The girls stood before the room as their respective squad's head coach read aloud their names. Mayor Kelly then announced the township would rename a day in celebration of their achievement, for a total of six days of recognition starting Tuesday.
"We are so honored to be here, thank you," said Mustangs Junior Midget Cheer Team Head Coach Ann Fish to the council, with a beaming smile.
"Trust me, we're honored to have you here," the mayor said, presenting her an award.
The council applauded the girls on their achievements, and said how athletically and recreationally strong the township is. They commended them for their successes, an endeavor won at "such an earlier age," Kelly said.
The competitors begin training in the summer for a season that extends deep into fall. Night after night the coaches and girls dance and cheer, perfecting over several weeks what will become a less than threeminute performance in front of state and national judges.
"That's true success," the mayor said. He called them the future of Brick Township.
But Kelly also said that unlike other council members who have family who participate in the squads, this was his first experience of the excitement behind Pop Warner dancing and cheering.
"I have three sons," Kelly said. "I have no idea what this is all about."
The six resolutions commended the squads not only on their successful awards at the local, state, regional and national level, council also cited the girls admirably represented the township "in a dignified and exemplary manner."
Sometimes, Acropolis said, success is not only in the national award, but exists in lessons learned, too.
"It's not just about championship, but about starting something and finishing something," he said. "When you're doing that consistently, you'll always be a winner."
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