U.F. honors its young athletes' accomplishments

Upper Freehold's Pee Wee cheerleaders show off the trophy they won for placing third in the national Pop Warner cheerleading finals held recently at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

UPPER FREEHOLD - The meeting room at the municipal building was filled with young people on Jan. 18.

The Township Committee gave a special presentation to honor the township's Pee Wee and Midget cheerleaders along with the Midget football team. The teams' coaches were honored as well. Afterward, the children and adults enjoyed ice cream provided by resident Bryan Scheff.

Mayor Stephen Fleischacker said there hasn't been a crowd like that at a township meeting since he's been on the governing body.

"As a community, we're extremely proud of what you all accomplished," he told the youngsters.

Last year, for the first time, the Midget football team won its division and made it past the first round of playoffs.

The Midget cheerleaders placed first in the Central Jersey Cheer Competition and won their division title. They also placed second in the Eastern Regional Qualifiers.

In addition, the Pee Wee cheerleaders placed first in the Central Jersey Cheer Competition, second in the Eastern Regional Qualifiers but first in their region, and third in the national finals held in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Each child received a certificate of appreciation. The certificates were presented by Committeemen David Reed and Robert Faber.

Resident Lenny Yanchar thanked the committee for recognizing the children's accomplishments and for giving them the certificates. He said it was something they would always cherish.

Yanchar noted all the time and energy residents have volunteered for the children, saying that volunteers even put in football and baseball fields at Byron Johnson Park.

Reed said the township will need more recreational fields for both children and adults.

"You can't put a price tag on kids and how they grow up," he said. "If they don't have something to do, they'll find something bad to do."

- Jane Meggitt