Give Three Cheers in Foxboro

By Judee Cosentino
The Sun Chrnonicle

The hopes and dreams of nearly 200 women ran high on Saturday during the New England Patriots’ 2014 cheerleader auditions at the Dana-Farber Field House in Gillette Stadium, where 184 dancers competed in the first round of tryouts to get in the running for a spot to cheer on the area’s NFL team.

There are currently 28 positions on the cheerleading team that need to be filled, according to cheerleading director Tracy Sormanti.

Out of the 184 participants, only about 40 would remain by the end of the day.

“The most exciting thing is to see the new talent that comes out every year,” said Sormanti. “Every year, it keeps getting better and better, and we have a great pool of candidates (this year).”

Emotions were jittery, but excited, as the dancers warmed up on the Field House floor before learning the first of their two dance routines for the day.

“I’m really nervous, but I’m really happy to be here dancing with all these girls,” said Lydia Hopkins, who is a student and member of the Providence College dance team.

Hopkins and two other friends, Jennifer Pinto and Arianna Haddock, who are also members of the college’s dance team, lent each other moral support as the sense of friendly competition set in.

Haddock was overwhelmed by the large turnout, but appreciated the welcoming environment created by the current Patriots cheerleaders, who volunteered their time to encourage the dancers.

“It made me feel a lot more comfortable,” said Haddock.

Across the floor from Haddock, Hopkins and Pinto were Nicollette Mollica of North Andover, Lia Moceri of Cranston, R.I. and Holly Maron, a student at the University of Rhode Island, who is originally from Boulder, Col.

“I’m just excited that I got the opportunity to even come here,” said Maron. “This is amazing. I’m in the same place as all these amazing dancers and athletes.

Sormanti, the team’s cheerleading director, was once a Patriots cheerleader herself, and she said she knew all too well the nervousness and competitiveness the ladies were facing.

“I respect everyone who comes out and wants to be part of this organization,” she said. “I wish I could choose everyone.”

After the warm-ups were completed, the dancers assembled in the center of the field house floor to learn the 30-second across-the-floor routine from line captain Stephanie Sanchez.

Before they began, Sormanti gave the dancers a brief, but powerful, pep talk.

“Just the fact that you’re here today shows that you want it,” she said. “You’re already superstars. You’re shining. You’re great.

“Believe in yourself, and the judges will believe in you. Think, ‘I am here because I deserve to make this team.'”

In addition to the across-the-floor routine, the dancers performed another choreographed and freestyle routine.

The 40 remaining candidates will participate in another audition on April 19, with the final roster being posted on the Patriots’ website on May 3.