Aleta Balcer is entering her 10th year heading the Foxes’ cheer program, a milestone that she attributes to her love for the sport and, more importantly, her fondness for the countless girls who have participated in the program.
Coach Balcer’s passion has been the driving force behind the squad’s evolution over the past decade, with each year bringing new advancements. Among her many achievements is something that was once only a dream for her – qualifying for the National High School Cheerleading Championship, the largest and most prestigious competition of its kind. The team got bids both in 2023 and 2024. No other squad in school history had earned that kind of national recognition.
Coach Balcer is quick to credit her assistants for their important role in this success. She says, “This is something I could not do without my assistant coaches Shelley Zottola and Krista Zottola. We are a great team and complement each other’s strengths.”
Evolution of Cheer
When she took over the program, coach Balcer prioritized keeping up with advancements in the sport, while maintaining a strong sense of family, as well as the spirit and positivity that define game days.
“It’s always been a good program,” she says. “The main difference is that we are competitive now.”
Coach Balcer notes several reasons for the sport’s advancements over the past decade, both at Fox Chapel Area and nationally.
“Cheerleading has grown a lot in the past 10 to 15 years,” she explains. “There has always been a focus on safety and training, but it has elevated to a new level for us. There are a lot of classes available for conditioning, stunting, and tumbling. Also, the creation of STUNT at the collegiate level, which focuses on choreographed competitive stunting, is slowly making its way to high school levels.”
She notes that cheerleading has gained recognition as a sport by the International Olympic Committee and hopes it will be included in the 2028 Olympics.
Senior captain Maurena Cilenti, a back spotter, is excited about the new stunts, pyramids, and tumbling routines the team will perform this year. Fellow senior captains Mary Ann “Mare” Frauenholz, Alexandra Vita, and Gretchen Shelestak also believe fans will be impressed by the cheerleaders’ skills and strength.
“The coaches have brought us some routines that are amazing to experience,” Maurena says. “Some new things everyone will see this year are more stunting during competition routines and even more inclusion with other sports’ student sections. We will be more advanced at competitions and much louder at games!”
Another cheerleader cites progress thanks to coach Balcer’s emphasis on positivity and her willingness to try upgrades that will enhance the team.
“Coach Aleta’s greatest strength is that she knows what the girls on the team need to do so we can succeed and represent our school in the best way possible,” Mare says. “She reminds us that cheerleading consists of many different things, and she cares about every girl on the team. She wants nothing but to see us as a happy, successful team.”
One key element is getting her cheerleaders in top physical condition for the demands of advanced stunts and gymnastics, as well as the strength required for safe lifting and support. Toward that end, several years ago, coach Balcer collaborated with the district’s head certified athletic trainer, John Panos, and Brandon Peifer, head of the district’s strength and conditioning program, to design a workout regimen specifically designed for cheerleading.
As coach Balcer now steps into the new school year, she continues to strive for new heights, while fostering a supportive environment. Given the talent, determination, and dedication of her squad, she anticipates nothing short of a third trip to Orlando.
As the chant says, “Go Foxes!”
Members of the 2024-2025 squad include 20 sideline cheerleaders and 17 competition athletes. Members are seniors Ty’Anne Binion, Maurena Cilenti, Mary Ann “Mare” Frauenholz, Gretchen Shelestak, and Alexandra Vita. Juniors are Maya Agarwal, Cate Conway, Lillian Fontenot, Trista Jackson, Emma Kurtz, and Ja’Nayzhia Talley-Patterson. Representing the sophomore class are Ainsley Goode and Evie Rosen. Freshmen on the squad are Ilaria Conte, Nora Greenawalt, Chloe Karlo, Mia Maples, Giuliana Miller, Emma Ritz, and Arianna Solari.
