The squad was all smiles after winning the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association Division 1 Cheerleading Championship. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lowell Technical High School)

Hard work, dedication, and athletic skill led the Greater Lowell Technical High School varsity cheerleaders to a historic 2025-2026 and saw the team secure numerous trophies, capped off by a first-ever Division 1 State Championship.

Securing just the second state championship in in any sport in GLTHS history in early March at the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association Division 1 Cheerleading Championship was the capstone of a year of success.

The 11-member team also won the Massachusetts Vocational Championship in the fall. In the winter, they won the Commonwealth Athletic Conference (CAC) league title, the North Regional title, and the Massachusetts Vocational Championship.

The team received their championship rings during a ceremony at halftime of a Varsity Football game last month.

Head Coach Jennifer Riley guides the team with support from her truly essential Assistant Coach Mya Medina.

Cheerleaders attend camps and work on their own over the summer on strength and conditioning and then begin practice in August. During the season, they attend GLTHS sporting events to support other teams and build school spirit, but perform their most challenging and technical routines at numerous tournaments against other teams from across Massachusetts.

“The amount of athletic ability that is required to do the stunts and the tumbling is really incredible. These girls are solid athletes,” said Coach Riley. “It takes a special amount of time and dedication for a team to come together and click for this possible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a state title.”

The exceptional members of the 2025-2026 GLTHS cheerleading team are senior Jaslynn Chea, senior Avah Morales, senior Ashanti Garcia, senior Julia Degnan, junior Andaia Kanakor, junior Mia Phaneuf, junior Gianah Santana, sophomore Ava Furtado, sophomore Grace Morrill, freshman Kourtney Patenaude, and freshman Katerin Suazo Jimenez.

“These kids work so hard,” Coach Riley said. “We practice more than any team I know of — five days a week, sometimes weekends, and we also attend football and basketball games.”

To the spectators, a cheer routine is just a quick two and a half minutes on the mat. But for Head Coach Jennifer Riley and Assistant Coach Mya Medina, that routine represents hundreds of hours spent breaking down scoresheets, restructuring stunts, and obsessing over synchronization.

Winning this state title meant sacrificing countless weekends for grueling travel and invitational schedules. More than just teaching skills, Jennifer and Mya served as the team’s daily mentors and confidantes, pouring everything they had into building the mental toughness it takes to become state champions.

“This team has been the most coachable group of athletes we have had in the past 8 years. They had one goal and had the same level of drive and dedication as we did. It really did become a Cheer Family that wanted the title not only for themselves but for each other and the school,” said Coach Jennifer Riley. “This year was extra special. Superintendent Jill Davis, who has been a huge supporter of this program, is retiring this year, and we kept saying, if we are going to achieve this huge moment, let’s do it where we can achieve this for our legacy and for hers. We cannot thank her enough for her support in helping this team achieve our dreams come true.”

As a result of winning a state championship, the team was invited to visit the Massachusetts Statehouse thanks to the support and kindness of Lowell Mayor Erik Gitschier and state Rep. Tara Hong. Rep. Hong welcomed the team to the Statehouse this spring.

A special ring ceremony took place during the season’s first home football game to celebrate the cheerleader team. The athletes were presented with championship rings and team jackets, along with the first-ever winter sports banner designated to hang in the gymnasium.