Eagles name new cheerleaders

Peter Mucha
*Audition Photos*

First-round draft pick Brandon Graham wasn’t the only new face seen by fans at last night’s draft party at the Linc.

The Eagles also introduced the new cheerleading squad, with 12 rookies and 26 returning vets.

Three of the newbies have pro credentials: Dani Pretti, of West Reading, Pa., danced for the Reading Phillies, and Philadelphia’s Sarah Cossa and Glen Mills’ Jacqueline Ranieri danced for the Philadelphia Soul (un-defending champs of the floundering Arena Football League).

Also first-timers are Casey Baldwin of Media; Corinne Jenkins of Philadelphia; Danae Dinger of Easton; Danielle Kerns and Janelle Makowski of Glen Mills; Jennifer Mooney of Jenkintown; Kelsey Brooks of Aston; Kimberly Ransom of Nazareth; South Philly-raised Marissa Patterson, of Williamstown.

The vets, though, took all the honors at Tuesday’s audition finale, in which 60 women competed to make or rejoin the squad, said director of cheerleading Barbara Zaun. Philadelphia’s Stephanie Smith won the interview portion, Ardmore’s Tracey Dunn won for dance, Blue Bell’s Paige Bell won for fitness, and Bensalem’s Alicia Lee won for beauty for at least the third consecutive year, Zaun said.

Pennsauken’s Danni-Lynn Bell, Paige’s sister, is also back with the squad. She’s one of a troupe of Jersey girls, including Devan West of Absecon, Erica Dorsey of Marlton, Ivelisse Rivera of Hammonton, Jessica Gonzalez of Williamstown, Khira Cooper of Blackwood, Michelle Morris of Mount Laurel, and Priscilla Williams of Moorestown.

The squad’s two Delawareans are New Castle’s Cheryl Newton and Wilmington’s Jamie Steinberger.

The rest are all from Pennsylvania: Ali Smith and Heather Randall of Philadelphia, Amy Mecca of Allentown, Ayva Wolset of Royersford, Kimberly Mellen of Peckville, Kristin Garofalo and Krystle Campbell of Media, Laura Jenkins of Drexel Hill, Lauren Keeley of Southampton, Lindsey Sengebush of Collegeville, Monica Grandlienard of Archbald, and Tiffany Monroe of Mechanicsburg.

After photo shoots for their trading cards, the squad will be off to Riviera Maya in Mexico from May 16 to 20 to shoot the 2010-2011 calendar, Zaun said.

The Iberostar Paraiso Maya resort is offering a special package for Eagles fans that are interested in attending, but arrangements have to be made through the resort, Zaun said.

Once again, “eco-friendly” will be the theme, with recycled and natural materials.

For more information, go to www.philadelphiaeagles.com/cheerleaders.