Greenwich High School Varsity Cheer Named Connecticut’s 2026 Team of the Year

For the first time in history, with a score of 97.55, Greenwich High School Varsity Cheer was named the 2026 Connecticut Team of the Year. The 9th Annual Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) Team of the Year Competition took place at Newtown High School on March 14, 2026.

With the top 6 teams in each division competing, Greenwich High School received the highest score of 30 teams across all divisions earning them this title.

Head Coach, Julia Vyskocil, said, “I am so incredibly proud of the team for winning the 2026 State Opens competition and being named Connecticut’s 2026 Team of the Year! What people see on the mat is only a glimpse of the countless hours of hard work, sacrifices, and the heart they pour into this sport every single day. Their resilience and belief in one another never wavered, and to make history as the first GHS cheer team to win this title is something they will carry with them forever. This win is a true reflection of their trust in the process and in each other, their strength, determination, and the love they have for each other and for this sport.”

This momentous victory was recognized and celebrated this past Wednesday, March 25 at the CHSCA’s 22 Annual Connecticut All-State Cheerleading Banquet in Southington, Connecticut.

Senior Captains, Leila Alza and Sadie Trager, reflected on this historic achievement. “This win meant more to our team than anything else,” said Captain Sadie Trager, adding, “Seeing all of our countless hours in the gym and hard work pay off was such a special feeling.”

Captain Leila Alza, added, “We struggled early on in the season, and we were constantly putting in hard work so that we could be the best we could be, and it paid off. This win showed our resilience, and most importantly, it taught us to never give up.”

“Being named the Team of the Year was the best honor we could have gotten,” said Captain Sadie Trager. “There’s truly nothing that will ever top this win or this team.”

Captain Leila Alza agreed. “The hard work and lessons that we learned in order to win this title is something that we will remember and cherish forever.”

In addition to this team award, one exceptional cheerleader from Greenwich High School, Senior Captain Ingrid Imp, was named the CHSCA 2026 Cheerleader of the Year in the state of Connecticut for her excellence both on and off the mat. Ingrid was also honored as a recipient of the 2026 Nina Poeta Trail of Glitter Cheerleading Scholarship, an annual award given to a cheerleader who exemplifies the qualities of generosity and service in memory of Nina Poeta.

“To be part of something as special as cheerleading has been the greatest blessing of my life,” Ingrid said. “Every single day, I strive to make others feel seen, loved, inspired, and valued because that’s what this sport has given me…I am forever grateful.”

“Ingrid is truly the heart and soul of this program and the embodiment of what it means to be a Greenwich High School cheerleader,” said Coach Vyskocil. “She has given so much of herself to this team, and her impact reaches far beyond the mat. She makes her teammates better people and pushes me to be a better coach every day. She has helped shape this program into what it is today, and I feel so lucky to have coached her. I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of this honor!”

With 19 athletes, Greenwich High School Varsity Cheer placed 1st Runner up at the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference Cheerleading Championship at Trumbull High School on February 26, 1st Runner up at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference competition on March 7 at Newtown High School, and 2nd Runner up at the New England Interscholastic Spirit Championship on March 21 at Worcester State University.

Four athletes were selected for the CHSCA Class LL All-State Cheerleading Team: Seniors Ingrid Imp
(All Academic), Claire Kilcullen & Sadie Trager, and Junior, Scarlett Arlotti; Three athletes selected as
All-FCIAC Cheerleaders: Seniors Leila Alza, Ingrid Imp and Claire Kilcullen.

Senior Captain, Claire Kilcullen, shares the secret to Greenwich’s success: “I have never been on a team as close as this one, and that is 100% the leading factor in our success. Because of the love we have for each other, each and every single one of us shows up and gives our all for each other every day. This sport demands trust and builds meaningful friendships that are different than any other relationship we have in our lives. Being a member of this team means putting your momentary needs or pain aside to benefit your team, and I am so proud to say I get to practice next to girls who bring that level of selflessness and dedication to practice every day!”

Congratulations to the Greenwich Varsity Cheerleaders, your 2026 Connecticut Team of the Year. Let’s go Big Red.

Your Greenwich High School Varsity Cheer Athletes:
Seniors: Leila Alza (captain), Ingrid Imp (captain), Claire Kilcullen (captain), Sadie Trager (captain), Maddie Ambrogio, Carly Hurwitz, Kendyl Inesta, and Julia Petty
Juniors: Scarlett Arlotti, Brianna Cipollone, Gemma Elezaj, Darby Kent, Kolbie Douglass, Mia Melgar, Maya Morales, Hanalei Perrucci, and Lily Yardis
Sophomore: Jaleah Johnson
Freshman: Alyssa DiBernardo

Head Coach: Julia Vyskocil
Assistant Coaches: Kat Ernye, Nikki Capalbo, Lauren Bria
Choreographers: Anthony Munoz & Jay Ruffin
Tumbling Coach: Ric-Chara Pina