Go Patriots! More Than 300 Audition for Cheerleading Squad
Hundreds try out at Foxboro’s Ahern Middle School in bid to cheer on the Super Bowl champions next season
By Laura Calverley
The Sun Chronicle
;More than 300 women jumped, kicked and danced their hearts out at the Patriots Cheerleader Auditions on Saturday at Ahern Middle School in Foxboro.
It was the first round of the annual tryouts to earn a spot as a cheerleader for the four-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots, who just won their fourth title Feb. 1 in Super Bowl XLIX, beating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 on an interception in the end zone by Malcolm Butler with 20 seconds left.
Candidates were taught choreographed dance routines and given an opportunity to perform a freestyle combination.
They were judged on dance ability, showmanship and level of physical fitness.
“I’m really excited to see what talent is in the room today. I see a lot of faces that have been here before. Hopefully they’ll do a great job this year,” cheerleading Director Tracy Sormanti said.
There are 28 Patriots cheerleaders on the team and 28 spots to fill.
“Even the current cheerleaders have to re-audition. They are here to assist today and in the final round (of auditions) they will join the process,” Sormanti said.
Being a cheerleader is considered a part-time job, but in addition to rehearsals and attending all the Patriots games, they also make hundreds of community appearances.
Most of the girls are either still in school or are recent college graduates, Sormanti said.
“It’s a very busy part-time job for these cheerleaders as they juggle school, work and their personal lives along with cheerleading. But it’s a very fun job to have,” Sormanti said.
“It’s a part-time job with a full-time commitment,” cheerleader Mary Babbitt said. Babbitt, 24, of North Attleboro, joined the team last year.
Babbitt said going to the Super Bowl this year was “incredible”.
“I wanted to do this so badly and going to the Super Bowl was icing on the cake. I couldn’t have asked for a better first year,” she said.
The participants came from near and far for a chance to audition. There were girls from Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and farther.
Excitement and nerves ran high throughout the crowded gym.
Stephanie Wallace, 23, of North Attleboro has a lot of experience with dance and cheerleading. She’s been dancing for 13 years and cheerleading for five years, including as a member of the North Attleboro Varsity Team.
“I’m so nervous. This is my first time. I’ve wanted to do it for years,” Wallace said.
Kelsey Plaisted, 23, drove two hours from Keene, N.H. for the audition.
“I’ve been a Patriots fan since I was born,” Plaisted said.
Erin Hamilton, 21, traveled more than three hours from Windham, N.Y..
“I’m a little intimidated, but very excited,” Hamilton said.
Few people probably came as far as Delaney Burns, 22, of Beaverton, Ore. Burns was born in Maine, but has lived in Oregon since she was 5 years old. She flew in on Thursday and is staying with family in Newton.
Burns said she’s always wanted to try out for a professional cheerleading team and she and her father and brother have been fans a long time.
“It’s definitely a fun team to follow because they’ve been so successful over the past 15 years,” Burns said.
After everyone warmed up, Sormanti, who was a Patriots cheerleader herself, gave the girls some last-minute advice.
“Try really hard. Work really hard. And just do your best,” Sormanti said.
As cheerleading director for 22 seasons, Sormanti has been to seven Super Bowls.
“They are all great. Some are better than others. But this last one was magical,” Sormanti said.
At the end of the audition, judges will narrow the field to about 40 participants who will be invited back for final auditions on Saturday, March 14.
