Cheerful auditions

211 vie to join New England Patriots’ No. 1 squad
Judee Cosentino
The Sun Chronicle
March 4, 2012

FOXBORO – More than 200 women assembled at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium on Saturday to audition for a spot on the New England Patriots’ number-one ranked cheerleading squad.

Saturday’s preliminary auditions consisted of three rounds, each with its own routine: across-the-floor routine, freestyle, and another, longer choreographed routine. By end of the tryouts, a spokeswoman said 30 of the 211 women who participated on Saturday were picked to advance to the finals on March 17.

Cheerleader Director Tracy Sormanti was thrilled at the squad being ranked No. 1 in the NFL by cable network CNBC.

“We are looking forward to keeping the standard this year that we had last year,” she said.

“We’re proud to say we have a great squad on the sidelines to compliment a great team playing on the field,” she said.
Sormanti said the candidates were judged by showmanship, ability, level of physical fitness and appearance, and that there was no specific number set for who was to make the cut.

“We wouldn’t eliminate talented people just because we wanted to cut it down to a few numbers,” Sormanti said. “We base it on talent.”

Michelle Birmingham and Carilee Spalding, both seniors at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, were one of the first five women to register. The two friends chatted with the current Patriots cheerleaders as they waited.

“I’m very excited, but there’s always nerves,” said Spalding.

Birmingham was equally nervous, but tried not to focus on a possible outcome.

“I’m just trying to think about the process,” she said. “It’s just fun to be here.”
The line for registration moved quickly and smoothly, and by 11:30 a.m., the women had completed their warm-up exercises and were ready to learn the first round’s routine.

“All you can do is your best,” Sormanti told the candidates. “Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, and don’t give up.”

Heidi Sullivan-LaRoche, a choreographer from New Hampshire, led the women through additional warm-up routines before teaching them the first round’s dance moves.

“You guys look great!” she called out. “Big smiles!”

The dancers then performed the routine in groups of four before the panel of five judges, which included Wendy Kraft, the wife of Daniel Kraft, who is the president international for the Kraft Group and the father of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Four friends from Leominster – Nicole Reynolds, Emily Robison, Lia Odoardi, and Melissa Amico – were among the first to complete the first routine and catch their breath on the sidelines.

“I’m relieved but nervous,” said Reynolds.

Robison concurred: “But it was nice, because the judges were smiling at you.”

A general air of excited shakiness extended between the four friends.

“I feel optimistic but nervous at the same time,” Reynolds said. “Hopefully, we make it.”